Katz Deli Chopped Liver Recipes

CHOPPED LIVER RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the chicken livers on paper towels to drain. Place the eggs in your food processor bowl.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large 12-inch skillet. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook a few more seconds, just until no longer raw. Using a spatula, transfer the skillet contents, including any remaining oil, to the food processor.
• Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the skillet. Add the chicken livers and cook them over medium heat (not higher or they could burst) until brown on the outside and barely pink on the inside, about 3 minutes per side. Overcooked livers are dry and grainy.*
• Again, use the spatula to transfer the skillet contents, including the livers, the oil, and any tasty bits left on the bottom of the skillet, to the food processor.
• Add the salt and pepper. Process briefly, about 30 seconds, stopping once to scrape the sides and bottom with a spatula. You don't want the chopped liver to be as smooth as a liver pate. It should have a bit more texture to it.
• Transfer the chopped liver to a serving dish. Cover and keep in the fridge for at least two hours, allowing the flavors to meld. Don't eat it when still warm! It won't be very good. It needs time to develop its deep flavor. Its flavor, as well as its texture, greatly improves after a rest in the fridge.

KATZ'S CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• The recipe does not call for it and of course it would not meet kosher requirements, but I always soak my liver in milk for an hour or two. I find that this really improves the taste of liver, especially beef liver.
• Heat broiler to high, and place beef livers on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Broil, turning once, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a food processor.
• Place chicken livers on baking sheet and broil until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes; Transfer to food processor.
• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring often, until soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to food processor.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and process until smooth.
• Transfer to a medium bowl, cover with plastic film and chill.
• Note: If you have a small food processor, cut the cooked beef liver into smaller pieces, quarter the eggs, mix with the chicken livers and all other ingredients in a large bowl, then process in batches.
• Note2: I use butter, as I don't usually have schmaltz.

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.

CHICKEN LIVER PATE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat 1 1/2 teaspoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 10 minutes. Add carrot, thyme, and cayenne and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until carrot is tender, 5 minutes. (If mixture is dry or begins to overbrown, add up to 2 tablespoons water.) Transfer mixture to a food processor.
• Return skillet to medium-high and add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons butter and remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Pat livers dry with paper towels. Season livers with salt and pepper and add to skillet. Cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, 6 minutes. Transfer livers to processor and pulse, scraping down sides as needed, until mixture is mostly smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and let cool. Transfer pate to a small bowl and serve at room temperature with toasts or crackers.

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.