| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 45 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 275 | 16g | 8g | 8g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 0g | 20g | 0.56g |
Why I Love Portuguese French Garlic Pate
As someone who appreciates culinary diversity, I love delving into different cultures for culinary inspiration. One special recipe has captivated my palate – a delightful Portuguese recipe called French Garlic Pate. What I love about this recipe is its robust and distinct flavors, and a richness that is so reminiscent of the comfort foods treasured by my Italian family.
A Recipe That Takes You on a Journey
Drawing from the Portugal’s rich and diverse culinary tradition, this French Garlic Pate features an array of vibrant ingredients, much like the vibrant culture of Portugal itself. With the primary element being chicken livers, the dish skillfully balances savoury notes with the bold flavours of garlic and onion. A generous inclusion of butter, whipping cream, brandy, and Madeira wine adds a luxurious depth to the dish that is simply irresistible.
Cooking Techniques Involved
The process of making French Garlic Pate requires investing time into finely chopping, sautéing, and blending ingredients, much akin to the cooking traditions I grew up with. And just like I was taught by my food-loving grandparents, this process allows each flavor to meld together harmoniously, creating a depth of flavor that is hard to forget.
Inspired by the great Portuguese chef José Avillez, I wanted to recreate this special dish in my own kitchen. Known for his contemporary interpretation of traditional Portuguese flavors, José’s dishes often strike a nostalgic note that’s similar to the Italian-American foods I was raised on.
The ingredients for the French Garlic Pate include:
- 1 lb Chicken livers
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 stick Unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Whipping cream
- 1/4 cup Brandy
- 1/4 cup Madeira wine
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
To me, there’s a certain magic in taking simple, earthy ingredients and transforming them into something rich and flavourful – it’s a process that has always captivated me, from my early years cooking alongside my Italian grandparents, to these days as a grandfather myself. I hope you all enjoy making – and eating – this fantastic Portuguese recipe, the French Garlic Pate, as much as I do.
What You’ll Need
- 1 lb Chicken livers
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 stick Unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup Whipping cream
- 1/4 cup Brandy
- 1/4 cup Madeira wine
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- Fresh Parsley for garnish
Method
Step One
To start, rinse the chicken livers and pat them dry. Make sure to get rid of any fat or connective tissue. Set them aside.
Step Two
In a large skillet, melt half the stick of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until the onion becomes translucent. This should take around 5 minutes.
Step Three
Add the chicken livers to the skillet with the onion and garlic. Cook this mixture for around 5 minutes, or until the livers are firm but still a bit pink inside. Once cooked, remove from heat and allow it to cool.
Step Four
Add the cooled liver mixture to a food processor. Also add in the whipping cream, brandy, Madeira wine, salt, ground black pepper, and nutmeg. Purée this mixture until it becomes a smooth paste.
Step Five
In the same skillet you used earlier, melt the remaining half stick of butter. Once melted, pour this into the food processor with the liver mixture and pulse a few more times to combine everything.
Step Six
Transfer the pâté mixture into a mold or a small bowl. Cover this with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the pâté is firm.
Step Seven
Before serving, garnish the pâté with fresh parsley. It can be served with toast or crackers. Enjoy your French Garlic Pâté!
