Second Avenue Delis Chopped Liver 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.

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.

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Turn on broiler. Rinse beef and chicken livers thoroughly, and cut away membranes and extra fat. Cut beef liver into 1-inch pieces; chicken livers can remain whole. Place beef and chicken livers in a large baking pan, and drizzle with corn oil (pour oil into a flatware tablespoon and drizzle over livers; 2 tablespoons are ample.) Broil 8 to 10 minutes (keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.) Turn liver pieces, and broil for another 5 minutes. Liver should be fully cooked and lightly browned on both sides. Chill in refrigerator. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons corn oil and the same amount of schmaltz, and saute onions, stirring occasionally, until well browned. Chill in refrigerator. In food processor, combine liver, onions, hard-boiled eggs, 2 tablespoons schmaltz, salt and pepper, and blend until smooth. You will have to do it in batches. Chill before serving.

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.

RUSS & DAUGHTERS' CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER

Steps:

• Drain chicken livers, rinse and pat dry. Remove any connective tissue. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the livers until they are firm and slightly pink in the center, about 5 minutes. (Do not overcook.) Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate to cool.
• In a clean, large skillet, melt the shortening over medium heat and add the onions. Sauté until onions are caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes, reducing heat to low as the onions soften.
• When the onions are ready, coarsely chop the livers in a food processor and place in a bowl (or chop livers with an old-fashioned manual chopper in a wooden bowl). Peel the eggs and mash with a fork in a bowl. Add to the livers. Add the onions and mix well, stirring in just enough of their cooking juices to moisten the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover the chopped liver and let mellow in the refrigerator for at least a few hours. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.