James Beard Chopped Chicken Livers Adapted Food

NOT YOUR GRANDMA'S CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add sugar, stir, and saute until onions are softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes more. Transfer onions to a food processor, leaving as much butter in the pan as you can.
• Fry livers in the hot butter until lightly browned on 1 side, about 4 minutes. Turn and continue frying until slightly pink in the center, 3 to 4 minutes more. Add livers to the food processor with the onions.
• Pour bourbon into the same skillet and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Boil until thickened and reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Pour liquid into the food processor.
• Combine eggs, thyme, salt, and pepper in the food processor with the liver mixture. Process until smooth.

CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVERS

Steps:

• Rinse the livers and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Clean the livers, by trimming and discarding any visible fat, green parts, or membrane. Set the livers aside.
• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the chicken fat and add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate with a slotted spoon. Wipe out the pan.
• Spread the livers out in a single layer on a sheet pan and season with the salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high, add 2 tablespoons of the fat to the pan and when the fat begins to shimmer, lay the livers in the pan in a single layer. Working in batches, cook the livers turning each over once, until browned, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the livers to the plate with the onions. Repeat with 2 tablespoons fat and remaining livers. Cool.
• Coarsely chop the livers with a knife (don't be tempted to use a food processor). In a medium bowl, gently combine the livers with the eggs, onions, and remaining 2 tablespoons fat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Serve with toast and cornichons if desired.
• Serving suggestion: Toasted rye or pumpernickel bread and cornichons .
• In a small saucepan combine the chicken fat or skin, thyme, garlic, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low to medium heat. Cook until the fat has rendered (liquefied) and the skin becomes crispy, about 35 to 45 minutes. (Adjust the heat, as needed, to keep the skin from browning too quickly.) Set the chicken fat aside to cool slightly. Strain into a small bowl. If desired reserve the crispy skin. Refrigerate, covered, for up to one week.
• Yields: about 1/2 cup

JAMES BEARD CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVERS ADAPTED

Steps:

• If using the real thing.
• Chop the chicken fat into small dice add 1/4 cup minced finely chopped and render in a heavy skillet until the cracklings begin to brown.
• If not Kosher melt the butter.
• In a heavy pot put the balance of the onions and 4 and 4 Tbsp of the chicken fat or butter.
• Cook until slightly colored and pepper to taste.
• Sauté the livers in the remaining fat until just cooked through.
• Remove and chop finely.
• Toss with the mixture of onions, fat and cracklings.
• Correct seasonings.
• Chill and serve.

JAMES BEARD'S FARMER'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pat chicken pieces dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• In a wide skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium. Working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan, brown the chicken, rotating as needed, until the skin is golden and releases easily from the pan, at least 5 minutes per side. Adjust the heat to avoid scorching. As the pieces are browned, transfer them to a plate.
• Once all the chicken is browned, add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown around the edges, about 5 minutes. Stir in the oregano and paprika.
• Add the wine and simmer, stirring up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the pan is almost dry, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in stock, olives and currants, and bring to a simmer. Carefully return the chicken pieces to the pan. Cover and let simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, stir and let simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is tender and the liquid reduces slightly, about 15 minutes. (The sauce will be quite loose.) Taste the sauce for salt and pepper. (Recipe can be made up to this point and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
• When ready to serve, heat through and stir in lemon zest and juice. Divide among shallow bowls and sprinkle with parsley and almonds (if using). Serve with rice, orzo or toast.