CHICKEN LIVER PATE WITH GOLDEN TOAST POINTS

Chicken Liver Pate with Golden Toast Points image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 ounce mixed dried wild mushrooms, such as porcini, shiitake, or wood ear
2/3 cup boiling water
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound fresh chicken livers, tough membranes removed, rinsed, and patted dry
4 sprigs thyme, leaves roughly chopped
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon brandy
1 slice white bread, crusts removed, diced
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Golden Toast Points

Steps:

Place mushrooms in a small bowl; pour the boiling water over. Cover, and let steep until mushrooms are soft, about 15 minutes. Strain through a sieve, reserving liquid. Finely chop mushrooms.
Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken livers and half the thyme; season with salt and pepper. Saute until livers are lightly browned on the outside and light pink on the inside, 6 to 7 minutes, adding half the garlic after 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 tablespoon brandy. Transfer mixture and all juices to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining livers.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in same pan; add bread cubes and the reserved mushroom liquid, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Combine with liver mixture.
Working in batches if necessary, transfer to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Process until mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. Add lemon juice, and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a 2-cup serving dish.
Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Skim off white foam from surface, and discard. Drizzle melted butter over top of pate, and place in refrigerator, covered, until butter is set, at least 1 hour. Bring to room temperature 1 hour before serving; scrape off butter, if desired, and serve.