| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 345 | 12g | 5g | 10g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 1g | 49g | 1.02g |
Why I Love Finnish Fried Beef Liver Slices with Onions
There’s something incredibly comforting and grounding about sharing a dish from a different cuisine. Today, I’m going beyond my traditional Cuban and Spanish roots, and bringing you a taste of Northern Europe. In particular, we’re going to prepare a classic Finnish dish, Fried Beef Liver Slices with Onions.
I’m Inspired by Different Cuisines
Though my heart lies with Caribbean flavors and Spanish classics, my culinary journey takes me across the globe. I love learning about different cultures through the foods they eat. This particular dish was introduced to me during my travels in Finland, and I was taken by its simplicity and hearty flavors. The liver is finely sliced and fried to perfection, with the onions adding a sweet and savory counterpoint. This Finnish recipe is similar to the Cuban dish Fígado de Ternera, which also includes beef liver and onions, yet the preparation and taste differ immensely.
It may be a far cry from the vibrant cuisine of Miami’s food scene, but I have come to appreciate Finnish food for its soul-warming character. This recipe reminded me of Chef Rauli’s work, a Finnish chef who focuses on balancing traditional Nordic recipes with modern culinary techniques. Despite our different geographic and culinary origins, we both share the same love for comfort food that gathers people around the table.
Pair It Up!
Fried Beef Liver Slices with Onions is a versatile dish, and it can be paired with a variety of sides depending on your preference. It goes well with mashed potatoes, a side of rye bread, or Finnish-style boiled potatoes. Another traditional accompaniment is lingonberry jam, which offers a bit of sweetness to balance the dish’s savory flavors.
If you want to blend the culinary lines, you could go for the famous Cuban rice, Arroz Blanco. Yes, it might seem a bit unorthodox, but I promise the result is nothing short of heavenly. Who says we can’t mix Cuban and Finnish cuisine for a unique culinary journey?
Whether you prefer to stick with the traditional pairings or love to experiment, one thing remains constant – this dish, whether served alone or accompanied, is always a crowd-pleaser!
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of beef liver
- 1 ½ cup of flour for coating
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½: Gluten, Dairy
Method
Step One
First step is preparing the liver for cooking. Rinse the beef liver under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Set it aside.
Step Two
Next, we need to make the liver coating. In a shallow bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step Three
Dredge each slice of liver in the flour mixture, being sure to cover both sides. Set the coated liver slices aside on a clean plate.
Step Four
In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted and starting to sizzle, it’s time to cook the liver.
Step Five
Place the liver slices in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until it turns a nice brown color. Once cooked, remove the liver slices from the skillet and set them aside.
Step Six
In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onions and minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are golden brown and fragrant.
Step Seven
Return the cooked liver slices back into the skillet and mix them with the cooked onions and garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Step Eight
Finally, garnish the fried beef liver with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy your homemade Fried Beef Liver Slices with Onions!
