Growing up as an Ashkenazi Jew, chopped liver was part and parcel of our Shabbat menu. My mom would always saute chicken livers on Friday afternoons, and to be honest, the smell was NOT for me, I would literally LEAVE THE HOUSE. Years later, as an established and curious foodie, I couldn’t help but order the jarred creamy liver pâté from various restaurant menus – it was always paired with homemade jam and crostini and it looked so GOOD. And it was! So, chicken liver finally found a place in my heart (and on my palate!).
The thing about kosher chicken liver, is that it needs to be broiled in order to remove the blood (since blood is not kosher), and it can sometimes render it dry. Cooking it down in some stock (with a hint of wine or cognac), is always a good idea, so this time, I decided to go with our current theme – apple cider! The cider cuts through the gaminess of the liver, which pairs wonderfully with the fruitiness of the juice, making it ultra creamy and oh. so. delicious.
Serve with apple cider onion jam and whole grain mustard for a truly special bite!
Apple Cider Liver Pâté
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced small
1/2 – 3/4 lb. broiled chicken livers, roughly chopped
1/4 tsp baharat, allspice, or warm spices of your choice
1 1/2 cups apple cider (not vinegar)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 hard boiled egg
Method:
In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil and add the onions, saute until deeply caramelized, 10-15 minutes. Add the chicken livers and saute until heated through. Add the baharat and saute to incorporate. Deglaze the pan with apple cider, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan, season with salt and pepper. Allow the livers to cook, uncovered, over medium heat until the apple cider reduces to a thick sauce.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor with the S blade attached. Add the egg and blend until creamy. Transfer to a jar or serving dish and refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
Serve with your favorite jam, mustard, pickles and crackers.
VARIATION: You can also serve the sauteed livers as creamy chopped liver without blending into a spread.
Accoutrements:
apple cider onion jam
beer mustard
pickled chili peppers
pickled onions
sourdough crackers