Jewish Deli Style Chopped Chicken Livers Recipes

CLASSIC JEWISH CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER RECIPE

Steps:

• If Using a Grill for the Livers: Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set all the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Proceed to step 3.
• If Using a Broiler for the Livers: Preheat broiler and move oven rack to highest position. Oil a slotted broiler pan, or a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.
• Using a paring knife, clean livers well of any fat, green spots, or large veins. Season all over with kosher salt. If using a grill, grill livers over high heat, turning frequently, until they are very lightly charred in spots and only the last traces of pink remain in their centers. If using the broiler, arrange livers on the prepared broiler pan or wire rack and broil, turning frequently, until exteriors are well-browned and only the last traces of pink remain in the centers. (If you are unsure about whether the livers are done, cut them open to check.) Remove from oven or grill and set aside.
• Scrape minced liver and egg mixture into a mixing bowl. Scrape in cooked onion, along with all of the cooking fat. Add minced gribenes, if using. Stir until thoroughly combined, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
• Add as much extra schmaltz as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency. Exactly how much this is will depend on several variables, including your personal preference, though we recommend that chopped liver be spreadable and moist, not dry and crumbly.

TRADITIONAL JEWISH CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER

Steps:

• Cut away any tough pieces of liver, stringy tendons or discolored pieces of meat.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of schmaltz in a large cast iron pan or skillet over medium heat. Sauté half of the chicken livers in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Season generously with salt and pepper halfway through the cooking process.
• Once the livers are brown on the outside and firm to touch, place them in a mixing bowl along with the leftover schmaltz from the pan.
• Add another 2 tablespoons of schmaltz to the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining livers
• Add 2 large sliced onions to the schmaltz juices in the skillet. Cover and cook the onion undisturbed over medium heat for 10 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low. Remove the lid from the skillet. Stir the onions, and continue to cook them for 30-40 minutes more to caramelize the onions.
• Transfer the caramelized onions to the livers in the mixing bowl. Add 4 of the diced hard boiled eggs and ½ cup of gribenes (if using). Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Mince the liver mixture with a knife until it resembles a rough pâté.
• Taste the liver once it is chopped. Adjust the seasoning by adding salt or pepper to taste.
• Chill the liver in the refrigerator until serving.
• Garnish with the remaining hard boiled egg and freshly chopped parsley. Serve with crackers, matzo, or on rye.

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Drain the livers and saute them in 2 batches in 2 tablespoons of the chicken fat over medium-high heat, turning once, for about 5 minutes, or until just barely pink inside. Don't overcook the livers or they will be dry. Transfer them to a large bowl.
• In the same pan, saute the onions in 3 tablespoons of the chicken fat over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, or until browned. Add the Madeira and deglaze the pan, scraping the sides, for about 15 seconds. Pour into the bowl with the livers.
• Add the eggs, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and the remaining chicken fat to the bowl. Toss quickly to combine. Transfer half the mixture to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse 6 to 8 times, until coarsely chopped. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Season, to taste, and chill. Serve on crackers or matzo.

JEWISH DELI-STYLE CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVERS

Steps:

• Prepare the Schmaltz as directed in the recipe. Rinse the livers and pat them dry with paper towels.
• In a large saute pan set over meidum heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the Schmaltz and saute the livers until browned, turning once, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side. They should be just barely pink inside. Don't overcook them or they will be dry. Transfer the livers to a cutting board to cool.
• Using the same pan, heat another 2 tablespoons of the Schmaltz and add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked onions and livers to the bowl of a food processor. Add the eggs, salt, pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons of Schmaltz. Pulse 6 to 8 times, until coarsely chopped. Do not puree. Taste for seasoning and chill at least 2 hours before serving.
• Serve with toast, crackers, or mazto and cornichons.

SECOND AVENUE DELI'S CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Rinse livers thoroughly, and cut away membranes and extra fat. Cut beef liver into 1-inch pieces; chicken livers can remain whole. Place livers in a large baking pan, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Broil 8 to 10 minutes (keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn). Turn, and broil until fully cooked and lightly browned on both sides, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to shallow bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator, about 30 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil and 2 tablespoons schmaltz, over medium heat. Add onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep-golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a shallow bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill in refrigerator, about 30 minutes.
• In a food processor, combine half the liver, half the onions, 2 hard-boiled eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons schmaltz, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Process until smooth. Repeat. Chill before serving.