If you can't afford expensive goose liver foie gras, try this simple-but-elegant pâté recipe using less-expensive duck livers.
Ingredients
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12 ounces duck livers, rinsed and cleaned
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1 cup milk
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2 cups heavy cream
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1 whole star anise
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2 teaspoons kosher salt
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3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Soak duck livers in the milk for at least 2 hours at room temperature.
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After 2 hours, drain and rinse under cool water.
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If you are using frozen, milk-soaked livers, simply allow them to thaw under refrigeration. Then drain and rinse under cool water.
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In a small saucepan, bring the duck livers, heavy cream, star anise, and salt to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the star anise and discard.
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Remove the duck livers from the pan and place them in a food processor bowl fitted with the metal blade. Add about 1/2 cup of the hot cream and process until combined. With the motor running, slowly add the rest of the cream in a steady stream.
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Process until smooth, pausing to scrape down sides with a spatula as needed. Add pepper and pulse until combined.
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Scrape duck liver pâté into a bowl or several small crocks and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap touching the top of the pâté and chill for at least 24 hours before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Recipe Variations
- If you are using frozen, milk-soaked livers, simply allow them to thaw under refrigeration. Then drain and rinse under cool water.
- This also can be made with chicken livers in place of the duck livers. Or use this Jewish chicken liver pâté recipe (better known as chopped chicken liver).
Ways to Serve Pâté
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As a spread: Any type of pâté is delicious on toasted bread. You can pre-spread and arrange the toast points on a pretty platter or let your guests serve themselves.
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With eggs: Tuck it inside an omelet or serve it on the side of eggs made anyway for an unusual and delicious pairing.
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On sandwiches: Who would have thought pâté would be a natural on a sandwich or burger. But it works.
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With cheese and fruits: Spruce up a cheese platter with dried fruits, nuts, and cubes of formed pâté.
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Stuffed into veggies: Creamy and spreadable pâté s can be stuffed into peppers, tomatoes, pickled mushrooms, and celery.
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As a dip: Carrot and celery sticks are naturals but don't overlook tortilla chips for dipping into pâté.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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138 | Calories |
12g | Fat |
2g | Carbs |
5g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 16 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 138 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 12g | 15% |
Saturated Fat 7g | 37% |
Cholesterol 144mg | 48% |
Sodium 202mg | 9% |
Total Carbohydrate 2g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 5g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 6% |
Calcium 41mg | 3% |
Iron 7mg | 36% |
Potassium 100mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |