If you look at the diets of ancestral populations, you will find one commonality – they all prize and consume organ meats or offal. The reason is simple – this is nature’s multi-vitamin. Liver is rich in the nutrients that most modern diets lack – vitamins A, D, E, and K, vitamin B-12, folate, iron, and copper. If there was a true super food, this would it be it, people.
Feeling squeamish? No worries – pate is the most appetizing and easiest way to get started with liver. Unfortunately, most grocery stores are short on a clean option. This recipe lays out a clean, delicious version, so that you can get that A+ rated diet. Make sure to use a clean (organic and free-range) liver source if possible. Enjoy!
Prep time: 5 min / Cook time: 15 min / Total time: 20 minutes (plus time to refrigerate)
Ingredients:
- THIN SLICES BACON (American streaky), 5, chopped in cubes/lardons
- GARLIC CLOVES, 2 minced
- WHITE OR YELLOW ONION, 1 large roughly chopped
- GRASS-FED BUTTER, ½ cup (113gm) divided (or sub ghee)
- CHICKEN LIVERS (organic and free-range if possible), 1 lb/450gm
- FRESH THYME, 1 sprig (or ½ tsp dried)
- FRESH ROSEMARY, 1 sprig (or ½ tsp dried)
- RED WINE, 1/3 cup (80ml) (or may sub water)
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, 2 Tablespoons (30ml)
- GROUND NUTMEG, ¼ teaspoon (1ml)
- SALT AND PEPPER to taste
- TO SERVE: fresh cut raw veggies such as cucumber, celery, carrots, bell peppers, and/or iceberg lettuce leaves
Directions:
- Heat a large pan to medium high heat and cook the bacon for about 3 minutes.
- Add the onion, garlic and 1/4 of a cup (half) of the butter and soften for another 3 or 4 minutes.
- Roughly chop the livers, just enough to cook through easily (optional).
- Add the livers, thyme, and rosemary to the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes, until livers are fully cooked.
- Remove fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs (if used).
- Turn heat to low and add the remaining ¼ cup butter, wine (or water), apple cider vinegar, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cook another couple of minutes until combined and butter is melted.
- Remove from heat and pour mixture in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Pour the smooth mixture in a serving dish (smooth top evenly).
- Cover and put in the refrigerator to cool.
- Serve on raw veggies or wrapped in lettuce leaves.
Serves 12
1 serving = 117 calories, 15g fat, 8g protein, 2g carbs, 0.5g fiber