Chicken Liver Parfait With Sultanas Raisins Recipes

Steps:

• A day ahead, put the raisins in a small bowl, pour over enough brandy to cover, then leave to soak for 1 hr. Pour the wine and port into a small, deep saucepan, tip in the shallots and garlic, then simmer until reduced by two-thirds - about 10 mins. Remove from the heat and pass through a fine sieve, pressing to extract all the juices. Allow to cool. Melt the 200g butter, then leave to cool slightly.
• In a food processor, blend the chicken livers until smooth, then add the wine reduction followed by the eggs, the cooled melted butter, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Pass through a fine sieve into a jug, stir in the nuts, then set aside. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.
• Drain the raisins, then divide them between 6 x 125ml ramekins. Pour the chicken liver mixture over, leaving a small space at the top of each one. Stand the ramekins in a small roasting tin (or similar ovenproof dish with sides to make a bain-marie) then pour in enough hot water to reach two-thirds of the way up the sides. Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 mins. To check when cooked, push a fine knife blade into the centre and, if it comes out hot and clean, the pâté is ready. If not, continue to cook, but don't overcook or let them soufflé up or the texture of the pâté will be grainy.
• Remove from the bain-marie, then pour a thin layer of clarified butter over each dish to seal. Scatter over a few extra raisins and pistachios to garnish as the butter is setting. Leave to cool, then refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• To serve, put each ramekin on a plate with toasted walnut bread and a few dressed salad leaves.

Steps:

• Tip the wine, brandy, shallot and garlic into a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer until most of the liquid has reduced, about 3-5 mins, then set aside to cool. Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large frying pan. Once hot, add half of the livers and sear them for 1 min on each side so they are brown on the outside but still rosy in the middle. Tip into a colander with a bowl underneath to catch any leftover fat. Repeat with the remaining livers and oil.
• Tip the livers into a food processor along with the cooled red wine and shallot mix. Add half the thyme leaves, all the cream and melted butter. Blend to a fine purée and season generously, then pour into a jar, pot or six individual ramekins. Transfer to the fridge to set for 2 hrs.
• Once the parfait has set, sprinkle with the remaining thyme leaves and spoon over a thin layer of melted clarified butter and put back in the fridge to set the butter. Can be made up to two days ahead and chilled. To serve, toast the brioche and serve with the parfait and a separate pot of chutney for everyone to help themselves.

Steps:

• Soak the livers overnight in milk to remove any bitterness. Drain well in a colander. To make the reduction, heat the oil in a sauté pan and fry shallots, herbs and peppercorns for 3-5 mins until the shallots are starting to soften. Add the Cognac and carefully flambé by tipping the pan towards the flame, or use a match.
• Once the flames have subsided, boil the Cognac for a few secs until it reduces down to a couple of tbsp. Add the port and madeira together and boil again for about 10 mins, or until reduced by two thirds. Leave to cool slightly so it's not piping hot.
• Add the livers, eggs, egg yolks and butter into the reduction and stir gently. Once the butter has almost melted, add the salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Transfer to a blender and blitz for 2 mins or until smooth, scraping the sides down. Strain into a jug; rub the mix against the sieve with the back of a ladle. Discard any sinewy bits left behind.
• Check seasoning, then pour into eight 100ml ovenproof ramekins. Heat the oven to 110C/fan 90C/gas ¼. Line a heatproof pan with four layers of kitchen towel and sit the ramekins on top. Pour very hot, but not boiling, water into the pan
• Test if the parfaits are ready by tilting one of them to the side - the parfait mix should just bulge slightly at the edge of the ramekin and gently wobble in the middle when shaken gently. (Don't forget that it will keep on cooking as it cools.) Remove the ramekins from the pan, cool then chill for at least 4 hrs or until set.
• Seal the parfaits with butter. Melt the butter in a pan but do not let boil. Whisk in the nutmeg, rosemary and half the thyme leaves. Taste butter for seasoning, then spoon over the parfait tops, sprinkle with the reserved thyme to decorate and return to the fridge to set. Will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the shallots, ginger and a good pinch of sea salt, then fry for 3 mins. Crumble in the saffron, sprinkle in the sugar and carry on cooking for few mins until the sugar melts and starts to caramelise, stirring all the time.
• Tip in the vinegar and apples, then cook for 5 mins until the apples are just softened and coated in a syrupy sauce. Cool and serve. Can be spooned into an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.