Chicken Liver Pate A La Jacques Pepin Food

CHICKEN LIVER PATE A LA JACQUES PEPIN

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken livers, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Add the water 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.
• Discard the bay leaf.
• 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.
• Enjoy!

TARRAGON CHICKEN A LA PEPIN

Steps:

• Boil potatoes for 30 minutes (they do not have to be cooked through, they will finished in the oven); set aside to cool, then when cool enough to handle, peel and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over high heat, brown chicken in oil and butter on both sides well; season liberally with salt and pepper and set aside (these also will not be cooked through, but finished in the oven).
• Lower heat to medium-low and toss the garlic cloves into skillet and let cook, stirring occasionally so as not to burn, for 1 to 2 minutes; stir in wine to deglaze pan, stirring all the browned bits from the chicken that stuck to the bottom of the pan, and let reduce by half, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in chicken broth and tarragon; turn off heat and let stand while you assemble the dish.
• Preheat oven to 350°F; butter a 2-quart covered baking dish or casserole.
• Layer half the onions in a single layer in the bottom of your casserole; top with half the potatoes.
• Lay browned chicken on top of the potatoes, then a second layer with the rest of the onions, topped with the remainder of the potatoes.
• Pour broth over everything, cover and place in oven until chicken is cooked through to 165°F on an instant read meat thermometer, about 30 to 45 minutes depending on how cool you let all the ingredients get before assembly.
• NOTE: This step is optional, but you can run the dish under the broiler to brown the potatoes a bit (makes for a more attractive dish). Also a drizzle of heavy cream and/or a squirt of fresh lemon juice may be a welcome addition.