A Smooth And Creamy Pâté Recipes

A SMOOTH AND CREAMY PâTé

Steps:

• Trim livers of little sinews or dark spots. Place in a bowl and add milk to cover. Set aside 30 minutes.
• Melt one-third of the softened butter, about 2 1/2 tablespoons, in a shallow skillet over medium-high heat. Drain livers. When butter starts to foam, slip livers into pan (they will spit) and sauté quickly, turning once, until lightly crusted and golden outside and cooked but still pink in the center.
• Place contents of pan, remaining softened butter, cream and salt and pepper into a blender or food processor and purée.
• Bring brandy to a boil in the skillet, add to the blender or food processor and briefly process again. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed, remembering that the pâté will be served chilled so the seasoning will not be as strong.
• Pass pâté through a fine sieve into a bowl, fold in green peppercorns if desired, then transfer to a ceramic terrine or serving bowl. Smooth top and refrigerate for 30 minutes, uncovered. Meanwhile, melt remaining butter and skim off solids.
• Pour clarified butter over pâté to seal top, cover with plastic wrap, and return to refrigerator at least 3 hours or overnight.

CREAMY VEGAN MUSHROOM PâTé

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a high heat, and fry the mushrooms for 15-20 mins until very soft, and any liquid that's been released has evaporated. Stir in the garlic, 1 tbsp thyme leaves, 1 tsp sea salt and a good grinding of black pepper, and cook for 3 mins more. Leave to cool slightly.
• Transfer the mushroom mixture to a food processor and blitz to a thick paste. Add 100ml soya cream, then blitz again until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as you go. You may need to add up to 50ml more cream. Season to taste, then spoon into a serving dish or bowl and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Drizzle over enough olive oil to coat the top of the pâté - it should be just enough to stop it drying out. Cover and chill for 2 hrs until firm. Will keep in the fridge for up to 24 hrs.
• To make the walnuts, put the sugar in a medium heavy-based frying pan with 1 tsp water, and stir to dissolve. Bring to a medium-high heat and bubble for 10 mins without stirring until the sugar has melted and turned into a golden caramel. Stir in the nuts, 2 tsp thyme leaves and a pinch of sea salt, then tip onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment and leave to cool. Once cool and set, bash or break into chunks.
• To serve, spread the pâté over the sourdough toast, then cut into bite-sized squares. Top with dollops of chutney and the candied walnuts.