Sage Thyme Calves Liver With Wild Mushrooms Pancetta Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place a large frying pan over a high heat and, when hot, add the dripping or lard. When it's melted, add the liver. Let the liver brown well on each side, sprinkling it with some seasoning as it cooks.
• When the liver is browned, transfer it to a roasting tin. Sprinkle it with the shallot and put it in the oven for 20-25 mins. When the liver is firm to the touch, or registers 55C on an electric cooking thermometer in its thickest part, remove it from the oven and set it to rest in a warm place, lightly covered.
• While the liver cooks, prepare the mushrooms. Brush them to remove any grit or soil. Place a large saucepan over a medium-high heat and add the olive oil or butter. Cook the mushrooms with a little seasoning so that they brown a little and all the liquid evaporates. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Continue to cook until the mushrooms begin to soften, then add the thyme and sage. Stir together well, then add the Sherry and white wine.
• Turn the heat to high and boil the juices so that they reduce by half. Add the stock and repeat. When the juices in the pan are reduced and slightly thickened, add the cream and stir to combine. Taste the juices and correct the seasoning if required.
• When the liver has rested, slice it thinly and serve immediately, topped with the mushroom ragout, on warm plates.

Steps:

• Place a large skillet over medium heat, and add pancetta. Cook (with no additional oil) until crispy on both sides. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Return skillet to medium heat and add butter. When it foams, add slices of liver and cook for about 2 minutes a side, or to taste. Add liver to plate of pancetta and cover to keep warm.
• Return skillet to medium heat, and add Marsala, stirring with a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan. When it bubbles and becomes syrupy, turn off the heat. Arrange liver on a large plate, and pour the Marsala sauce over it. Crumble pancetta on top, and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• To make the relish, put the onions, juniper and thyme in a large saucepan, season with 1 tsp salt and a little pepper. Cook on a high heat for 10 mins, stirring regularly as the onions start to soften. Add the vinegar, sugar and 100ml water. Cover, boil for 5 mins, then uncover and simmer gently for 5 mins or until soft and with a little juice remaining. Meanwhile, remove large tubes, membrane or gristle from the liver. Pat dry with kitchen paper.
• Heat 1 tsp oil in a large frying pan and add the prosciutto. Fry for 1 min each side or until golden and crisp. Set aside on a plate and keep warm in a low oven.
• Add a splash more oil to the pan. Dust the liver slices in the flour and pat away any excess. Place the liver in the hot pan, scatter the sage in, then fry for 1 min each side if the liver is sliced thinly, longer if thicker. When the liver is golden and just pink in the middle, transfer it and the crisped sage to the plate in the oven.
• Return the pan to the hob and add the Marsala. Boil until syrupy. Let the butter melt into this sauce, season to taste, then set aside. If your sauce reduces too quickly, just add a little water. Plate up the liver, prosciutto, sage and warm onion relish, then spoon over the sauce. Serve with seasonal greens and potatoes, if you like.