I don't even *like* liver, but I'm keeping this recipe to try: Chicken-liver Mousse with Mascarpone

marilynfl

Moderator
By Camas Davis of the Portland Meat Collective. This woman sounds SERIOUS about meat.

ACTIVE: 45 MIN

TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS

SERVINGS: Makes 2 cups

1/4 pound bacon, finely chopped

1 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 tart apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon minced thyme

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

Pinch of grated nutmeg

Pinch of cinnamon

1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 pound chicken livers, trimmed and patted dry

2 tablespoons bourbon

1/2 cup mascarpone

(Mar's Note: I haven't a clue how you "trim" chicken livers.)

1. In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp, 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl; reserve for another use.

2. Add the onion, apple and a generous pinch of salt to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until starting to brown, 8 minutes. Stir in the thyme, pepper, paprika, nutmeg and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, 1 minute; transfer to a food processor.

3. In the skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Season the livers with salt and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until barely pink inside, 4 minutes. Add the bourbon and simmer for 1 minute. Scrape the livers and any juices into the processor; let cool.

4. Add the mascarpone and remaining stick of butter to the processor and puree. Press the mousse through a fine sieve and season with salt; spread in a serving bowl. Press a sheet of plastic wrap onto the surface. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days; serve at room temperature.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chicken-liver-mousse-with-mascarpone

 
I dunno. If you are trying to like it, this might not be the best route.

Have you tried really piling the slowly caramelized onions over the meat??

I love it, with bacon, lots of onion and a little apple. But kidney stones love it, too.

 
I think you could give this a try for the reason that between the

mascarpone and the added butter you have a good bit of dilution of the livers. I make one similar (with the apples, etc) but not so much dilution. I think this looks really good and will be much more like a "mousse" than a "pate". Go for it!!

 
I just printed it out...

I know a few folks who will be digging into this at one of our Christmas gatherings.

Marilyn, FYI, trimming chicken livers means to remove random bits of connective tissue and any fat that may be hanging around. (anyone can correct me on this, as I can't remember the last time I cooked a chicken liver)

 
I would soak the livers in milk for a few hours. Take a look at Traca's posted rec. I have made

it a few times, and found that the soaking in milk softens the texture and taste of the liver. Just an idea.

 
That is the recipe I was recalling. We really enjoy it. (Thanks Traca!) It has a very

fluffy / mousse like consistency. We serve it with those tiny lil cornichons. I also recall making a carmelized, vingegar red onions.
Thanks Traca posting the recipe! And Thx mar for the liver pate reminder! Let me know if you make the mousse with Bacon / Marscapone. Would love your thoughts.

Edited to say, I found the pickled red onion rec

Best,
Barb

http://eat.at/swap/forum/index.php?action=display&forumid=1&msgid=178080

 
Ooh, I'll have to try those. Thanks! Will be making the pate again over the holidays. Onions now too

 
I made this and shared some tonight...

and have enough remaining for 2 more gatherings in the next 3 days.

I used brandy as I had no bourbon. I should have used less than 2 tablespoons, but it is tasty. I also cut back a bit on the butter and drained off some of the bacon drippings. (If I had used a bit of fore-thought, I would have just used some of my saved bacon drippings rather than cook bacon to get more...oh well)

It is very rich and the thinly sliced red onion I had to go with helped cut that some.

Very tasty, but your cardiologist would have a fit!

 
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