Ingredients

400g chicken livers

150g butter, cubed

2 eschalots, peeled, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 tsp lemon thyme leaves, finely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish

¼ cup French brandy

½ tsp finely grated orange zest

⅓ cup crème fraîche

½ cup clarified butterfat (see tip, below)

Toasted baguette or sourdough

Tip: To clarify butter; melt 150g butter and stand for 5 minutes until butterfat layer rises and white milk solids sink to bottom. Spoon off yellow clarified butterfat for pâté and discard milk solids.

Method

1.

Trim any white sinew or fat from livers. Rinse in a colander with cold water. Drain then pat dry. Heat 50g of the butter in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add eschalot, garlic and thyme. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until soft.

2.

Add livers and cook for 5 minutes or until lightly golden all over but still pink on the inside. Add brandy and zest. Cook for 20 seconds. Pour mixture into a bowl. Let cool.

3.

Put in a food processor and process until pureed. With the motor running, gradually add remaining butter and crème fraîche through the food chute. Season to taste and process until combined.

4.

Transfer mixture to a fine sieve over a bowl and push through with a spatula. Discard solids left in sieve. Spoon mixture into small cups or moulds and smooth the surface, leaving ½ cm for butter layer. Pour clarified butterfat over to cover and garnish with a small sprig of thyme. Refrigerate overnight. Serve with bread. Pâté will keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Recipe Kerrie Worner

With over 20 years in magazines, Kerrie’s work has adorned HB’s pages as contributing food editor, along with BHG, Elle Cuisine, Australian Women’s Weekly and Family Circle. “It is so important to encourage people to learn simple food skills so they can learn how easy it is to fall in love with their creative side,” she says.