Chicken Liver Mousse

William (Uncle Bill) Anatooskin's Note:

An excellent appetizer served with toast point or crackers and a glass of Boeujolais Wine.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 6 cups water
• 10 black peppercorns
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 large bay leaves
• 1 lb chicken liver
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• ½ cup minced onion
• 1 tablespoon cognac
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• 5 teaspoons water-packed green peppercorns (divided)
• ¼ cup whipping cream

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan or cooking pot, add water and bring to boil.
2. Add black peppercorns, celery, and bay leaves.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add chicken livers and cook gently for another 10 minutes.
5. Drain, remove livers and set aside.
6. In a small saucepan, heat butter, add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.
7. Transfer onion/garlic to a food processor.
8. Add chicken, cognac, salt, thyme, allspice and four teaspoons of green peppercorns.
9. Process until smooth.
10. Pour in whipping cream, process until incorporated and transfer to a mixing bowl.
11. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon of green peppercorns.
12. Mold into small ramekins and refrigerate.
13. Unmold before serving.
14. Serve with toast points or crackers of your choice.

Reviews

[Gay Gilmore]

I chose to saute the livers in part of the butter instead of boiling them. (I have another recipe for this that I make and I like having the onions pick up the browned bits.) This recipe has wonderful flavor. The cognac and bay, and especially the green peppercorns -- I love these so much I couldn't resist throwing a bunch more on top for garnish (those are my photos under my hubby's name). The only problem was that this did not setup well. It was fine to serve as a spread from the ramekins though. The other recipe I have for this calls for more butter and less whipping cream...I suspect that has something to do with it. I will certainly make again.

[troyh]

Yummmm! We had this for Thanksgiving appetizer, for lunch the next day, and for an appetizer the next day with friends where I ate so much I couldn't eat my dinner. Everyone loved it and the peppercorns give it a great peppery surprise if you're lucky enough to get one in your serving.