James Martin’s luxuriously rich dinner party starter can be made up to two days in advance for fuss-free entertaining – serve with toasted brioche, cornichons and chutney.
Prep:15 mins
Serves 4
375g unsalted butter400g chicken livers, trimmed2 large garlic cloves, 1 crushed, 1 finely sliced3 thyme sprigs, leaves only3 tbsp madeira4 slices brioche1 Bramley apple, cored and dicedonion chutney, to servecornichons, to serve
STEP 1Heat 1 tbsp of the butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. When the butter is foaming, add the chicken livers and fry for 2 mins each side.STEP 2Stir the crushed garlic, some of the thyme and Madeira into the pan with the livers. Fry for 2 mins, letting the Madeira simmer. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, reserve 200g of the butter and add the rest to the processor. Blend everything to a smooth paste. Season to taste, then spoon into 4 x 70ml clip-top jars.STEP 3Melt the reserved butter in a medium frying pan and add the sliced garlic. Turn the garlic in the butter until slightly golden. Pour into the 4 jars of pâté, ensuring a few slices of garlic and the remaining thyme leaves go in each jar, and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hrs, or until set. Can be made up to 2 days in advance.STEP 4Before serving, toast the brioche, then cut into triangular quarters for serving. Stir the diced apple through the chutney. Serve the pâté on small wooden boards with the toasted brioche, cornichons and chutney.
