Whenever I don’t know what to bring to a party or gathering, I gravitate toward the old standbys. No, not chips and dip or cheese and crackers — a country pâté. And not just any pâté, my grandmother’s recipe. Madou’s Pate De Campagne.
It never fails to win over the crowd. I brought one to a party last Christmas and watched as four of the guests stood vigil around the dish, sampling, nibbling and scarcely letting other revelers near the serving tray.
I was surprised to see chafing dishes filled with ziti, chicken fingers and other conventional offerings which sat virtually unnoticed while this pâté was picked clean. Not an exaggeration!
Whether you’re hosting a party or lucky enough to be a guest this New Year’s Eve, you’ll want several of these little beauties on hand. As a host, you’ll need it for your hors d’oeuvre offering and if you’re the guest, wrap one up and gift it to your host. I guarantee grateful bellies.
This is my grandmother’s recipe, after all and as a French woman, she knows a thing or two about good food. My mother’s Veal and Pork Country Pate is another really good one. Happy New Year!
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Madou's Pâté De Campagne
ingredients
- 1 pound chicken livers
- 1 pound country sausage I use Jimmy Dean- regular
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
- 1 ounce gin about 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon fines herbes or herbes de provence
- 3 whole bay leaves - the prettiest and flatest one's in the jar
- 3 1/2 - 4 cups hot water
instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Clean the chicken livers, by removing any excess fat and cutting away any large veins. Transfer livers to a mini-prep food processor and pulse several (8-10) times until the livers are well chopped, but not completely smooth.
- In a large bowl combine the chicken livers and the sausage. Use your hands to blend the sausage into the chicken livers until they are well combined and their are no large chunks. Add the egg, nonfat dry milk, herbs, salt, pepper, nutmeg and gin. Use your hands again to completely combine the ingredients together. Set aside.
- Prepare the loaf pan or if you have a pate mould with a vented lid, use it. You can make one large pâté or several smaller ones.
- For one large pâté use an 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" loaf pan.
- For three smaller (gifting size) pates use a 5 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 2" loaf pan.
- Place a bay leaf, pretty side facing down in the center of the loaf pans (If you're making a large pâté, arrange all three bay leaves decoratively in the pan.
- Ladle the pate into the loaf pans and cover tightly with aluminum foil. With a sharp knife make several slits in the aluminum so steam can escape.
- Place the loaf pan in a 13" x 9" x 2" pan and set the pan in the oven. Carefully pour the hot water into the 13 x9 inch pan until the water comes up about halfway on the loaf pan. Cook the smaller pâtés for about 50 minutes in the water bath. For the large pâté, cook for an hour and 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the pâtés from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate overnight. Pâté is best when the flavors marry for several days before serving.
- To serve, run a sharp knife around the edges of the pate and flip it out onto a serving dish. Serve with crackers,crostini and/or crudite.
Notes
Nutrition
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I am a little surprised. Most terrine/ paté recipes I have seen say to line the dish with bacon or other fats to make the loaf unmold easier. Does your recipe really come out in one piece without the fatty lining?
I’ve never had an issue getting the pates out of the pan, just run your knife around the edges. If it does stick, dip the bottom of the vessel in hot water for a minute or two and it will definitely loosen up.
Is it possible to freeze it and then defrost for a future party?
I’ve never frozen this pate before, however, you can make it a week in advance and keep it well covered and refrigerated. The flavors actually improve and get deeper.
I love pate, and usually eat it by the spoonful. To be honest, I am quite intimidated to make it this looks so easy and delicious! Will definitely be making this soon for myself – Uhm, I mean – all the parties and festivities! 😉
I’ve never tried making pate but this may just motivate me. It’s a great option to take to Christmas or New Years parties!
When I’ve brought this pate, there is literally a hoard of people who hover over it and eat it hand to mouth. No lie.
This is definitely pate season! I’ve loved it for a while but have never attempted to make it. Great idea to get this recipe on your blog! Thanks for sharing 🙂
It’s a good time of year to serve pate to guests. I must make some soon. A good reminder.
Can always trust the French in the kitchen! I am sure your grandmothers recipe is divine!
That’s true, Vicky!
I’m going to use this pate recipe for a baby shower! It sounds delicious for up here in the frozen north.
It’s one of our family’s go-to recipes! Enjoy!
Madou made snd served this every Christmas! A family favorite!