Winter treats - Oolong Chicken Liver Pâté

Oolong Chicken Liver Pâté
(Photo coming soon)

SERVES: 6 TO 8

I adapted this recipe for a large event for Cornelia Bean. The herbs and fragrant tea make this a cozy treat or lovely for entertaining.

This silky-smooth pâté is inexpensive and simple to make. The chicken livers are briefly simmered in Oolong tea with aromatics before they’re blended with butter in a food processor.

1/2 pound chicken livers, well-trimmed
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
1 small garlic clove, smashed and peeled
1/2 tsp. Ground Sage
1/4 teaspoon thyme leaves
Kosher salt
1/2 cup Oolong tea (infuse _ tsp in 1 cup boiling water)
1/2 - 2/3 cups butter
2 shots Scotch whiskey
Freshly ground pepper
Toasted baguette slices, for serving

DIRECTIONS
In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken livers, onion, garlic, sage, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the Oolong and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the livers are barely pink inside, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the livers, onion and garlic to a food processor; process until coarsely pureed. With the machine on, add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until incorporated. Add the Cognac, season with salt and pepper and process until completely smooth. Scrape the pâté into 2 or 3 large ramekins. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pâté and refrigerate until firm. Serve chilled.

If using gelatin sheets to top the Pâté, Grind 2 tsp. Oolong tea and cook in 1/2 cup water. Add 2-3 Gelatin sheets and melt. Pour over Pâté and chill over night. If using melted butter, make sure that the Pâté is completely covered. This can be enjoyed from the refrigerator for 1 week or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Enjoy!