Chicken Liver Pâté with Apple and Thyme is easy to make and delicious. It’s savoury yet slightly sweet. Perfect for an appetizer or lunch with some salad and crackers.
Two years ago I hosted an Apple Dinner: all items on the menu had some kind of version of apples in them. There were cheese and charcuterie platters served with homemade apple jam, apple-onion chutney, and dehydrated apples. There was pull-apart apple and cheddar bread, cider braised beef short ribs, apple cake, apple ice cream. And, of course, lots of fresh apples. I spent weeks scouring all corners of the Internet looking for the recipes, testing, experimenting. The dinner was a success. So much so that a day after the apple extravaganza I started planning another ingredient based event.
One of the items on the charcuterie platter was homemade Chicken Liver Pâté with Apples. I have not made pâté before, so I eagerly decided to try. I was surprised how easy it was – sauté liver with some onions and apples, whizz quickly in a food processor with some cream and voila – only a few minutes of hands-on cooking and the whole fancy appetizer is done in less than half an hour.
The addition of apple is almost undetectable, but it gives the pâté a slightly sweet and mellow note. Thyme and vermouth (if using) add an herby and savoury undertone, while cream adds a much needed lightness. This pâté will last for up to a week in the fridge if the top is covered with plastic wrap. It’s a great appetizer to make ahead and to serve as part of a buffet table or first course.
Chicken Liver Pâté with Apple and Thyme
makes about 2 cups
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 large apple, skinned, cored, and diced (preferably tart)
- 1 pound chicken livers
- 1/4 cup vermouth (optional)
- 1/4 cup cream (half and half)
- Salt - to taste
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat one tablespoon of butter and olive oil, add the diced onion and cook on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until onions are soft and slightly brown.
- Add the thyme leaves, chicken livers, and a diced apple. Cook on medium heat until liver is cooked through but not tough yet. My stove takes longer than most, so it takes about 20-25 minutes for me.
- Once the livers are just cooked, add the second tablespoon of butter and vermouth (if using). Cook until vermouth evaporates and butter is melted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Cool.
- Scrape everything from the pan into a food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds until pâté is smooth.
- Check for seasoning, add salt as needed. Add cream and pulse a bit more until pâté is light and airy.
- Place plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pâté for storing. Will last up to one week in the fridge.
Nutrition
Mention or tag @Imagelicious
Irena says
Julia, I love reading your blog!
Will make this for the holidays when my family will arrive from Toronto.
Imagelicious says
Oh, thank you, Irochka! I am glad you keep following me 🙂
Irena says
Of course I am, although, I have much less time now 🙂
Have 2 questions: first, is there a way to subscribe to your blog? And second one, is how are you? What’s new?
Imagelicious says
Yea – you can sign up. It’s at the top of the blog on the right hand side, just below the search box.
I’m doing good. Super busy with work, and blogging, but good. You?
Irena says
Same here. Super busy with raising an amazing little girl, working, trying to paint from time to time.
A Taste of Madness says
My dad would LOVE this! I should make this for him for Christmas!