1tablespoonsweet fortified winee.g. vermouth, sweet sherry, port, or Madeira
2tablespoonheavy creamor double cream
salt and pepper
For the clarified butter topping
3 tablespoonButter unsalted, with high-fat content
Instructions
Check the duck liver for any sinews and trim them out with a small, sharp knife if needed. Dice and shallot and garlic.
Heat a small saucepan over medium and add the butter. Once it is melted and bubbling, add the shallot, garlic, thyme, and a pinch of salt and saute until translucent.
Add the duck liver and sear on either side for 20 seconds before adding the wine and allowing it to simmer down to a syrup.
Stir through the cream, and then remove from the heat. Take out the thyme sprig.
Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a mini food processor and blending until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Transfer the duck liver pate into a shallow dish and smooth off the surface so it is completely flat.
Heat the remaining butter in a small saucepan until it melts and the butter solids separate and sink to the bottom. Very carefully to not disturb/include the butter solids, pour or spoon the clarified butter onto the pate to form a seal, and refrigerate to allow it to set.
Notes
One duck liver weighs around 60 grams or 2 ounces. I'd say that one duck liver will serve 2-3 people as a pre-dinner snack with some toast or with salad and bread for a light lunch, as it is very rich. If you are spreading it onto small crostini to make canapes, it could make 10-15. You can swap duck liver for chicken liver or goose liver in this recipe, too. I use sweet wine to add depth of flavor and a small amount of sugar as liver can have a slightly bitter taste. Some recipes add tomato paste, but I think this masks the taste of the liver. You could substitute the wine for a pinch of sugar.