Chicken Liver Pâté with Figs and Walnuts

A luxurious chicken liver pâté enriched with butter and Cognac, complemented by wine-soaked Mission figs and toasted walnuts. Perfect as an elegant appetizer spread on toasted baguette slices.

8 servings
4 hr 25 min

Ingredients

  • 1 spray Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 pound chicken livers, trimmed
  • 1 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
  • 1 small small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon Cognac
  • teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • ¾ cup dried black Mission figs
  • ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
  • 1 bunch Fresh chives
  • 1 head Red leaf lettuce
  • 1 loaf French-bread baguette
  • sliced
  • toasted

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Spray 3-cup soufflé dish or terrine with vegetable oil spray. Line dish with plastic wrap; spray plastic. Combine chicken livers, broth and onion in medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer until livers are cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Drain cooking liquid; transfer chicken livers and onion to processor. Add butter, Cognac and salt to processor. Puree until smooth. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.

    240 min

  2. 2.

    Bring wine to simmer in small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add figs. Let stand until figs soften, about 15 minutes. Drain wine. Quarter figs. (Pâté and figs can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep pâté refrigerated. Transfer figs to small bowl; cover and refrigerate.)

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Unmold pâté onto platter. Press walnuts onto sides of pâté. Garnish top with chives and some figs. Arrange lettuce on platter with pâté. Place remaining figs atop lettuce. Serve with toasts.

    10 min