Silky Homemade Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe: Luxurious Spread

Crafting a delectable chicken liver pate brings unexpected culinary magic to your kitchen.

Small home cooks often overlook this luxurious spread’s potential for impressive entertaining.

Rich, velvety textures promise an elegant appetizer that feels surprisingly simple to prepare.

Subtle herbs and smooth blending techniques create a sophisticated dish anyone can master.

Professional chefs might guard their secrets, but this recipe demystifies the process completely.

Creamy and indulgent, the pate becomes your secret weapon for memorable gatherings.

Invite friends and watch them marvel at your gourmet skills.

Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate Ingredients List

• Chicken Livers: Fresh organ meat that provides rich, deep flavor and creamy texture for the pate.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that add depth and aromatic complexity to the dish.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme: Herbs that infuse subtle earthy and fragrant notes into the chicken liver mixture.

• Butter: Adds richness, smoothness, and helps create a luxurious, spreadable consistency.
• Cognac: Provides a sophisticated, warm background flavor that complements the liver.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste profile.
• Water: Helps gently cook the chicken livers and create a tender texture.

How To Prepare Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

In a spacious skillet, combine chicken livers with finely chopped onions, minced garlic, fragrant bay leaf, and delicate thyme. Sprinkle a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors and awaken the ingredients.

Step 2: Gently Poach Liver Mixture

Pour water into the skillet, allowing the ingredients to simmer together. Cover the pan and let the mixture cook tenderly for approximately 3 minutes, creating a delicate and flavorful base.

Step 3: Rest and Steep

Remove the skillet from heat source, keeping it covered for an additional 5 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the livers to continue cooking gently.

Step 4: Remove Aromatics

Discard the bay leaf, as its job of infusing flavor is complete. Transfer the remaining solids to a food processor, preparing for the next transformation.

Step 5: Create Chunky Texture

Pulse the ingredients in the food processor, creating a rustic, chunky consistency that hints at the pate’s homemade origins.

Step 6: Incorporate Creamy Butter

Gradually add butter while blending, transforming the mixture into a smooth, luxurious spread. Continue processing until the texture becomes silky and uniform.

Step 7: Enhance with Cognac

Introduce a splash of Cognac and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Blend once more to integrate these final flavor-boosting ingredients.

Step 8: Chill and Set

Carefully spoon the pate into elegant ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the mixture firms up and becomes delightfully spreadable.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Present the chilled chicken liver pate as a sophisticated appetizer, ready to be savored with crusty bread or elegant crackers.

Tips That Help With Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate

• Choose Fresh Livers: Select high-quality, fresh chicken livers from a trusted butcher for the best flavor and texture.
• Control Cooking Time: Avoid overcooking livers to prevent a grainy, dry consistency; precisely follow the 3-minute simmering and 5-minute resting technique.
• Blend for Smoothness: Add butter gradually while blending to create a luxuriously creamy pate with perfect silky consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Profile: Splash Cognac at the end for a sophisticated, rich depth that elevates the entire dish.
• Chill for Better Taste: Allow pate to set completely in the refrigerator, which helps flavors meld and improves overall texture and spreadability.

Ways To Mix Up Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate

• Rustic Mushroom Fusion: Replace chicken livers with sautéed mixed mushrooms for a vegetarian pate option, using olive oil instead of butter for a lighter texture.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Swap thyme with rosemary and oregano, adding sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired variation that brings vibrant flavors.
• Low-Fat Wellness Version: Use Greek yogurt instead of butter, incorporate lean turkey liver, and reduce Cognac to create a healthier protein-packed spread.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add jalapeños, cumin, and smoked paprika to transform the classic recipe into a zesty, warm appetizer with a southwestern kick.

Pairing Ideas For Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate

• Crusty Baguette Companion: Slice a fresh French baguette into thin, crispy rounds that provide a perfect crunchy contrast to the smooth, rich pate texture.
• Wine Harmony Match: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or a crisp Beaujolais to cut through the pate's richness and complement its deep, earthy flavors.
• Tangy Pickle Contrast: Serve cornichons or quick-pickled onions alongside the pate to add a bright, acidic punch that balances the dish's creamy, dense profile.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley on top to introduce a light, green note that freshens the intense liver flavor and adds visual appeal.

Keep Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate Fresh

• Transfer pate to an airtight container or keep in ramekins tightly sealed with plastic wrap. Consume within 3-5 days for optimal freshness and flavor.
• Wrap pate securely in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Gently warm at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid direct microwave heating to maintain smooth texture and prevent separation.
• Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to serving to soften slightly and enhance flavor profile. Pair with crusty bread or crackers for best results.

FAQs About Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate

• Is chicken liver pate healthy?

Despite being rich in fat, chicken liver pate provides excellent nutrients like protein, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. It’s a nutrient-dense food that supports immune function and promotes good eye health.

• Can I freeze chicken liver pate?

Yes, you can freeze chicken liver pate for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container to maintain its quality and prevent freezer burn.

• Why use Cognac in the recipe?

Cognac adds depth and complexity to the pate’s flavor profile. It brings a subtle warmth and helps enhance the rich, savory taste of the chicken livers, creating a more sophisticated dish.

What Makes Mary Berry Chicken Liver Pate Delicious

• Unlock Gourmet Elegance: Transform simple chicken livers into a luxurious spread that impresses guests with minimal culinary skills.
• Master Quick Sophistication: Prepare an elegant French-inspired appetizer in just a few steps, perfect for elevating dinner parties or special gatherings.
• Versatile Entertaining Delight: Create a make-ahead dish that stores beautifully in the refrigerator, allowing stress-free meal preparation and spontaneous entertaining.
• Budget-Friendly Flavor Bomb: Craft a rich, decadent starter using affordable ingredients that delivers restaurant-quality taste without breaking the bank.

Chicken Liver Pate Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 8 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Luxurious French Chicken Liver Pâté blends rich, silky textures with classic Parisian culinary elegance. Smooth spreadable perfection invites you to savor each delicate bite of this traditional delicacy that whispers gourmet comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 0.5 pound (226 grams) chicken livers, well-trimmed

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 0.25 teaspoon thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to season
• Freshly ground black pepper

Aromatic and Supplementary Ingredients:

• 0.5 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small garlic clove, smashed and peeled
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) water
• 1.5 sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons Cognac or Scotch whisky
• Toasted baguette slices, for serving

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Instructions

1. Combine chicken livers, aromatic vegetables, and herbs in a saucepan, creating a flavorful base for the pate.
2. Pour water into the pan, gently simmer at low heat for 3 minutes with a tight-fitting lid, allowing ingredients to cook delicately.
3. Remove from heat, let the mixture rest, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and optimal tenderness.
4. Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf, preserving the remaining ingredients.
5. Transfer the cooked solids to a food processor, preparing for blending.
6. Pulse the mixture initially to create a chunky texture, breaking down the liver and aromatics.
7. Gradually incorporate cold butter while processing, transforming the mixture into a silky, smooth consistency.
8. Splash in Cognac and sprinkle freshly ground pepper, blending briefly to integrate these final flavor enhancers.
9. Elegantly spoon the pate into individual ramekins, ensuring even distribution.
10. Seal with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for several hours until the pate sets firmly.
11. Serve chilled as an elegant appetizer, accompanied by crisp toast or crackers.

Notes

• Liver Quality Matters: Choose fresh, bright-colored chicken livers from a reputable butcher for the best flavor and texture.
• Smooth Texture Secret: Strain the pate through a fine-mesh sieve for an ultra-creamy, silky consistency that melts in your mouth.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut cream for dairy-free and vegan alternatives that maintain rich, luxurious taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Pate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, developing deeper flavors as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep and entertaining.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 317 kcal
• Sugar: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 384 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 225 mg