Walnut And Raisin Liver Pate Food

CHICKEN LIVER & RAISIN PâTé

Steps:

• A day ahead, put the raisins in a small bowl, pour over enough brandy to cover, then leave to soak for 1 hr. Pour the wine and port into a small, deep saucepan, tip in the shallots and garlic, then simmer until reduced by two-thirds - about 10 mins. Remove from the heat and pass through a fine sieve, pressing to extract all the juices. Allow to cool. Melt the 200g butter, then leave to cool slightly.
• In a food processor, blend the chicken livers until smooth, then add the wine reduction followed by the eggs, the cooled melted butter, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Pass through a fine sieve into a jug, stir in the nuts, then set aside. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.
• Drain the raisins, then divide them between 6 x 125ml ramekins. Pour the chicken liver mixture over, leaving a small space at the top of each one. Stand the ramekins in a small roasting tin (or similar ovenproof dish with sides to make a bain-marie) then pour in enough hot water to reach two-thirds of the way up the sides. Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 mins. To check when cooked, push a fine knife blade into the centre and, if it comes out hot and clean, the pâté is ready. If not, continue to cook, but don't overcook or let them soufflé up or the texture of the pâté will be grainy.
• Remove from the bain-marie, then pour a thin layer of clarified butter over each dish to seal. Scatter over a few extra raisins and pistachios to garnish as the butter is setting. Leave to cool, then refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• To serve, put each ramekin on a plate with toasted walnut bread and a few dressed salad leaves.

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Drain the livers and saute them in 2 batches in 2 tablespoons of the chicken fat over medium-high heat, turning once, for about 5 minutes, or until just barely pink inside. Don't overcook the livers or they will be dry. Transfer them to a large bowl.
• In the same pan, saute the onions in 3 tablespoons of the chicken fat over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, or until browned. Add the Madeira and deglaze the pan, scraping the sides, for about 15 seconds. Pour into the bowl with the livers.
• Add the eggs, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and the remaining chicken fat to the bowl. Toss quickly to combine. Transfer half the mixture to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse 6 to 8 times, until coarsely chopped. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Season, to taste, and chill. Serve on crackers or matzo.

WALNUT AND RAISIN LIVER PATE'

Steps:

• Drain chicken livers and soak in milk for about 15 minutes. Drain milk and discard. Heat olive oil or butter in skillet over med-high heat. Add garlic, onion and liver. Sautee' until liver is only slightly pink, and onions are soft. Drain excess liquid. Meanwhile, place 1 cup of the merlot and the raisins in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low for about 10 minutes or until raisins are soft. Drain merlot and discard. In food processor, combine liver and onion mixture, toasted walnuts, raisins, black olives, ¼ cup of merlot, the dry herbs, and salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Coat the inside of a 5 inch custard dish, or jello mold with olive oil or cooking spray. Line with plastic wrap. Spoon liver mixture into dish. Fill to the edge of dish, and smooth with back of spoon. Cover, and refrigerate overnight, or minimum 4-5 hours, until mixture is "set". Remove cover, and place saucer or cake plate over the custard dish and flip upside down. Remove custard dish and plastic wrap. Garnish with additional walnuts, raisins and bleu cheese, if desired. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables.

WALNUT RAISIN TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
• Cut the pie crust into 12 pieces and press them evenly into the bottoms and up the sides of the muffin cups to form a crust.
• In a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the raisins and walnuts. Spoon the mixture evenly into the crusts.
• Put the muffin tin onto a baking sheet and bake until the filling is set, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Carefully unmold the tarts, put them onto a rack, and let them cool to room temperature.

CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT WITH SULTANAS & RAISINS

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit and dessert wine in a bowl. Cover and microwave on High for 3 mins. Meanwhile, gently melt the butter in a large pan and fry the livers with the garlic, sage and plenty of black pepper for about 5 mins until browned.
• Tip the mixture into a food processor, scraping in all of the buttery juices and blend until smooth. Pour in the cream and 2 tbsp of the wine from the dried fruit, season with salt, then blend again.
• Generously oil the insides of 8 x 100ml ramekins. Spoon some wine-soaked raisins into the base of each ramekin, then top with the parfait. Cover and chill. They will keep for 2 days in the fridge or 1 month in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• To serve, run a knife round the inside of the ramekins and turn the parfait out onto plates. Accompany with toasted brioche and a few salad leaves.