Country Paté (Paté de Campagne) to Pair with Terra Vina Cabernet Franc

Feb 19, 2015

Ingredients

• ¾ Cup Cognac
• 3 TBSP unsalted butter
• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 pound ground veal
• ½ pound chicken livers, cleaned
• 1 pound ground pork
• 12 ounces bacon
(8-10 slices finely chopped, plus 14 bacon slices for lining pan)
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 ½ tsp salt
• 2 ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 ½ tsp allspice
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/3 Cup whipping cream
• 1 – 6ounce piece ham steak, cut crosswise into ¼ inch thick strips
• Coarse sea salt
• Condiments to serve with Paté: Dijon Mustard & Cornichons

Preparation

Set rack at lowest positions in oven Preheat 350 F. Boil Cognac until reduced to ½ cup, about 1½ minutes. Cool, melt butter in heavy, medium skillet over medium hear. Add onion & sauté until soft & translucent but not brown, about 8 minutes. Combine ground pork & chopped bacon in large bowl. Using fork or finger tips, mix together until well blended. Add sautéed onion, garlic, 2 ½ tsp salt, thyme, allspice & pepper to bowl with pork mixture & stir until incorporate. Add eggs, cream & reduced Cognac, stir until well blended. Line 9x5x3 inch metal pan with bacon slices arranging 8 slices across width of pan & 3 slices on each short side of pan, overlapping pan on all sides. Using hands, lightly & evenly press half of the meat mixture onto the bottom of pan, atop the bacon slices. Arrange ham strips over in a single layer. Top with remaining meat mixture. Fold bacon slices over, covering paté, cover tightly with foil, place pan in 13x.9x2 inch metal baking pan and transfer to oven. Pour boiling water into baking pan ½ way up sides of loaf pan. Bake until thermometer in center reads 155 F about 2 hours 15 minutes. Transfer loaf pan to rimmed baking sheet. Place heavy skillet or 2 heavy cans to weigh down & chill overnight or up to 4 days ahead.

To serve, place loaf pan in a larger pan of hot water for 3 minutes, Invert onto platter, discard fat and wipe clean, Cut crosswise into ½ inch slices.

Drink wine. Be happy.