If you’re looking to impress your dinner guests with something special on their plates, try serving up this classic French dish known as beef liver pate.
What Are The Ingredients In Beef Liver Pate?
The main ingredient of beef liver pate is fresh beef liver.
The meat should be cooked slowly over low heat so that it doesn’t dry out too much, but still retain its texture and flavor.
It can also help if the livers are sliced very thin.
Other ingredients include onions, garlic, herbs (such as thyme or tarragon), white wine, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and butter.
You will need some sort of cooking vessel such as an earthenware pot or casserole dish with sloping sides.
To keep things cool, place the casserole dish inside another larger pan filled with ice water.
This helps to maintain the temperature of the dish without overcooking the liver at all.
You may want to use a food processor instead of chopping everything by hand.
Just remember to remove the blade once you have finished processing each piece of onion, garlic, etc., since they tend to stick together while being chopped in the machine.
When using a food processor, just add one medium-sized yellow onion, two cloves of garlic, half a teaspoon dried thyme, six tablespoons of olive oil, and one pound of ground beef into the bowl.
Pulse until everything is finely chopped.
Then process again until everything is combined well.
Add four eggs and pulse to combine.
Next, mix in two teaspoons of kosher salt, 1/4 cup of fresh parsley leaves, 2 ounces of unsalted butter, and black pepper to taste.
Mix these ingredients well before pouring them into the prepared casserole dish.
Place the lid on top and cook for about three hours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the lid and cook for 30 more minutes.
After this time has passed, turn off the stove and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
Pour the contents of the dish onto a cutting board and allow it to cool completely before slicing it into pieces.
Be sure to serve the finished product immediately after making it.
Otherwise, the liver will start to break down due to the high heat used during the cooking process.
Serve it with slices of baguette bread and enjoy!
How Do You Make Beef Liver Pate?
Beef liver pate is an easy-to-make yet elegant dish that can be served warm or cold.
It’s also a great way to get your kids involved in cooking.
You can use any type of meat when making it — just make sure it’s very lean so that it doesn’t curdle while baking.
It’s important to note that the word “pâté” means both a paste and a patty, but for our purposes here, we’ll stick with the latter meaning.
Pate means a mixture of different foods (usually minced) encased in some kind of binding agent.
The most commonly used are fat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and gelatin, although there are many types of pates out there.
In this article, we will focus on using liver pate instead.
Ingredients for Beef Liver Pate
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1/4 cup (20 milliliters) milk
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups (500 milliliters) chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) half-and-half
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced onions
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced carrots
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced celery
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced shallots
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) all-purpose flour
The first step is to combine all the wet ingredients into one bowl and set aside.
Next, add the cooked vegetables to another mixing bowl and mix them together well.
Finally, put everything else into a food processor and process until it comes together nicely.
What Is The History Of Beef Liver Pate?
Pate is an old word that means “paste.” It was used in English in 15th-century cookbooks to describe any kind of meat or fish paste.
The modern meaning of the term refers more specifically to a paste made mainly from ground meat but also containing fat and seasonings such as herbs and spices.
Beef liver pate is one example of such a paste, though it doesn’t contain only liver.
For centuries, cooks have been making pates using various ingredients.
In France, they traditionally use fresh pork rinds (called pâte à choux), while Germans favor breadcrumbs.
But most recipes call for some combination of chicken livers, bacon, onions, and cream cheese, among other things.
Pate has become so popular that it can be found at restaurants and specialty food stores all over the world.
Beef liver pate is a particular favorite because it tastes really good when served cold.
You might not think about it much now, but there are actually many different kinds of liver dishes around the world.
In fact, if you were able to travel back in time 1,000 years ago, you would find yourself eating beef liver pate just like everyone else.
Where Does Beef Liver Pate Come From?
Beef liver pate is one of those dishes that comes along in the culinary world at regular intervals.
It can be traced back hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the 19th century when people started adding more ingredients like cream and herbs into the mix.
The name “liver pate” refers to the fact that the meat used to make the dish is primarily liver.
The liver itself has a high concentration of fat, so combining it with some leaner cuts of meat makes for a much richer flavor.
There are also many variations of beef liver pate recipes out there, depending on what country or region you’re cooking in.
For example, the French traditionally use truffles in their version of beef liver pate, while the British tend to prefer using mushrooms instead.
History of beef liver pate
According to Wikipedia, the first recorded mention of beef liver pate was during the 1490s by Anton van den Wyngaerde, who wrote about how he had prepared the dish for King Charles VII of France.
In his book, Le Viandier (or The Cookbook), van den Wyngaerde described how he cooked the dish over an open fire, allowing the grease that came off the meat to drip down onto the coals below him.
This method of preparation may have been common practice centuries ago, but today most chefs cook beef liver pate under pressure cooker settings, which allows them to quickly reduce the amount of time needed to prepare it.
As far as we know, no chef has ever recorded making beef liver pate with a blowtorch!
Although not mentioned in any historical records, the dish could very well have originated in China.
According to Chinese cuisine expert Chef Jules Giraudet, beef liver pate may have originated in the 13th century due to the popularity of eating duck livers and hearts.
If you look closely at the pictures of ancient artworks depicting food being served, you will notice that they often include chicken gizzards, which were likely eaten because they looked similar to duck livers.
Another possible explanation for where beef liver pate may have originated is that it was originally created as part of a religious ritual.
Some historians believe that the Catholic Church used this type of pate as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the suffering associated with it.
Others think that it might have represented the blood dripping down from Jesus after he died.
What Are The Different Types Of Beef Liver Pate?
Beef liver pate has several variations but they all share one thing in common – they use beef liver instead of chicken or pork livers.
There are many reasons why people choose to make pates using these specific ingredients rather than others, including the fact that beef liver is more flavorful and it also contains less cholesterol compared to chicken or pork livers.
In addition to making a delicious spread for bread, cheese, crackers, or even vegetables (think eggplant parmesan), there are plenty of ways to put pate into action.
It can be used as an ingredient in recipes like meatloaf, stuffing, and even desserts.
Here are some examples of how to incorporate beef liver pate into various dishes.
- Pate Stuffed Mushrooms
- Baked Pate-Filled Egg Rolls
- Chicken Liver Terrine
- Creamy Beef Lasagna
- Spinach & Ricotta Cheese Pie
Ingredients for beef liver pate
- 1 pound fresh beef liver
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preparation for beef liver pate
- Chop the liver into small pieces then place them in a medium bowl.
- Add the cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the bowl along with ½ tablespoon of butter.
- Use a fork or potato masher to mash the mixture together until well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
How Do You Serve Beef Liver Pate?
Beef liver pate can be served in many ways depending upon what type of meal it accompanies.
In France, this meaty spread is often served alongside cheese or bread, but it also makes an excellent appetizer when paired with crackers, toast points, baguettes, or even crostini (thinly sliced pieces of bread).
You may also want to pair it with oysters or smoked salmon for a more elegant presentation.
When using liver pate as an accompaniment to other dishes, make sure to use only fresh ingredients that have been prepared according to specific cooking instructions.
For example, if you’re preparing the pate ahead of time, keep the mixture refrigerated until ready to eat.
If you plan to serve it immediately after making it, avoid reheating it at all costs!
For the best results, be sure to select high-quality ingredients whenever possible.
And remember — it’s important to prepare all foods thoroughly before eating them.
To ensure safety, cook any uncooked food items such as raw eggs, poultry, fish, shellfish, and unpasteurized milk products.
Also, always wash your hands well before handling food.
The last thing you need is to get sick while hosting a party!
What Are Some Popular Beef Liver Pate Recipes?
Beef Liver Pate (or in English, “Liver Paste”) has been around since the late 1800s.
The original dish was created by Chef Auguste Escoffier, who served it at his restaurant Le Grand Véfour, located in Paris in 1890.
It became so famous that it eventually spread throughout Europe and America.
Today, there are many variations of beef liver pate available, but the basic recipe remains the same.
This unique ingredient can be found in many different dishes throughout France, including boudin blanc, bouillabaisse, coq au vin, fois gras, galette des rois, cassoulet, and even escargot.
In fact, if you visit any European country during Lent, chances are good you will find liver paste on menus.
The word pate means both “paste” and “spread.” When used in the context of food preparation, the term refers to a mixture or blend of ingredients that have been mixed together until they form one unified product.
For example, when preparing this delicacy, chefs mix ground-up pieces of beef liver with onions, garlic, herbs, spices, and various types of fats.
Afterward, these ingredients are then blended into a smooth texture using either an immersion blender or a mortar and pestle.
Although this particular dish originated in France, it is commonly eaten today all over the world.
And because it is such a versatile flavor enhancer, it can easily be adapted to fit most cuisines.
If you want to create a delicious meal full of exotic flavors, try adding this to your next feast!
What Are Some Tips For Making Beef Liver Pate?
Making beef liver pate may seem like an intimidating task at first glance, but it really isn’t that difficult if you follow the steps below!
- Start by choosing fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Make sure all of your equipment is clean and sanitized before beginning.
- You will need a food processor or blender to make the pate.
- This process can take anywhere between 10 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much time you have available.
- Use cold water when blending the mixture in order to keep the texture nice and creamy.
- Don’t overmix the mixture and use caution not to overheat the contents.
- Once everything has been blended together, let it cool completely before adding any additional ingredients.
- Refrigerate the final product until ready to serve.
- Try serving this delicious treat along side roasted vegetables for a hearty meal!
Ingredients for Beef Liver Pate Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to get started…
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
- 5 ounces (140 grams) bacon fat, melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup (150 grams) onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup (100 grams) carrot, diced
- ½ cup (80 grams) celery, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 4 cups (950 ml) heavy cream
- 2 pounds (900 grams) chicken livers, cleaned and trimmed
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Cooked rice, for serving
How Do You Store Beef Liver Pate?
Beef liver pate can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, but it will start losing its texture after that time.
You should also keep it away from any strong odors or flavors because they will affect how well your pate tastes when it eventually reaches room temperature.
The best way to preserve your pate is by freezing it.
To freeze it properly, wrap each slice of pate individually in plastic wrap and then place them into an airtight freezer bag.
Then label the bags clearly so you know what kind of meat was used to make each one.
To thaw frozen beef liver pate, just put it back in the refrigerator overnight.
Make sure not to leave it out at room temperature longer than 24 hours though.
If you need to thaw more quickly, microwave it instead.
What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Beef Liver Pate?
There are lots of myths surrounding the preparation and consumption of beef liver pate.
The first one we want to debunk right off the bat has nothing to do with cooking or eating any kind of food at all.
It claims that because liver contains blood cells, it can be used in any dish where there might be an ingredient that would normally turn red when cooked — like tomato sauce.
It turns out that this isn’t true at all.
Liver does contain blood cells, but they don’t make it impossible to cook red foods without turning them pink.
In fact, if you look closely, you’ll see that most meats (including chicken) have blood vessels running throughout them.
They just aren’t very visible unless you cut into those things!
The second myth is that liver should only be eaten by people who are physically fit enough to withstand its high fat content.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
If anything, people who eat a lot of meat tend to get better results from consuming liver than people who stick to vegetarian diets.
Another misconception regarding beef liver pate is that it must always be served cold.
While it certainly tastes best when chilled, there’s no reason why you can’t serve it warm.
Just keep in mind that it will solidify once it hits room temperature.
So now that we know what not to believe, let’s take a closer look at how to prepare this luxurious treat.
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 8 oz beef liver
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sage
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Over medium heat, melt butter in a sizable skillet or saucepan. After it has melted, add beef liver and minced onion. Cook the liver and onion in the pan until they are both soft. In the last minute, add the minced garlic and simmer until fragrant.
- Blend the liver, butter, onion, and garlic in a blender until smooth. If it’s having trouble pureeing, you can add a little cream.
- Blend all remaining ingredients in a blender until they are completely smooth. Adjust the salt as necessary after tasting.
- Pate can be eaten right away with a crusty baquette or crackers, or it can be chilled and served in an airtight container.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.