Chopped Chicken Liver A La Jennie Grossinger Recipes

CLASSIC JEWISH CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER RECIPE

Steps:

• If Using a Grill for the Livers: Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set all the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Proceed to step 3.
• If Using a Broiler for the Livers: Preheat broiler and move oven rack to highest position. Oil a slotted broiler pan, or a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.
• Using a paring knife, clean livers well of any fat, green spots, or large veins. Season all over with kosher salt. If using a grill, grill livers over high heat, turning frequently, until they are very lightly charred in spots and only the last traces of pink remain in their centers. If using the broiler, arrange livers on the prepared broiler pan or wire rack and broil, turning frequently, until exteriors are well-browned and only the last traces of pink remain in the centers. (If you are unsure about whether the livers are done, cut them open to check.) Remove from oven or grill and set aside.
• Scrape minced liver and egg mixture into a mixing bowl. Scrape in cooked onion, along with all of the cooking fat. Add minced gribenes, if using. Stir until thoroughly combined, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
• Add as much extra schmaltz as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency. Exactly how much this is will depend on several variables, including your personal preference, though we recommend that chopped liver be spreadable and moist, not dry and crumbly.

CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVERS

Steps:

• Rinse the livers and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Clean the livers, by trimming and discarding any visible fat, green parts, or membrane. Set the livers aside.
• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the chicken fat and add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate with a slotted spoon. Wipe out the pan.
• Spread the livers out in a single layer on a sheet pan and season with the salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high, add 2 tablespoons of the fat to the pan and when the fat begins to shimmer, lay the livers in the pan in a single layer. Working in batches, cook the livers turning each over once, until browned, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the livers to the plate with the onions. Repeat with 2 tablespoons fat and remaining livers. Cool.
• Coarsely chop the livers with a knife (don't be tempted to use a food processor). In a medium bowl, gently combine the livers with the eggs, onions, and remaining 2 tablespoons fat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Serve with toast and cornichons if desired.
• Serving suggestion: Toasted rye or pumpernickel bread and cornichons .
• In a small saucepan combine the chicken fat or skin, thyme, garlic, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low to medium heat. Cook until the fat has rendered (liquefied) and the skin becomes crispy, about 35 to 45 minutes. (Adjust the heat, as needed, to keep the skin from browning too quickly.) Set the chicken fat aside to cool slightly. Strain into a small bowl. If desired reserve the crispy skin. Refrigerate, covered, for up to one week.
• Yields: about 1/2 cup

RUSS & DAUGHTERS' CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER

Steps:

• Drain chicken livers, rinse and pat dry. Remove any connective tissue. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the livers until they are firm and slightly pink in the center, about 5 minutes. (Do not overcook.) Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate to cool.
• In a clean, large skillet, melt the shortening over medium heat and add the onions. Sauté until onions are caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes, reducing heat to low as the onions soften.
• When the onions are ready, coarsely chop the livers in a food processor and place in a bowl (or chop livers with an old-fashioned manual chopper in a wooden bowl). Peel the eggs and mash with a fork in a bowl. Add to the livers. Add the onions and mix well, stirring in just enough of their cooking juices to moisten the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover the chopped liver and let mellow in the refrigerator for at least a few hours. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.

MIRJ'S HEART-ATTACK-ON-A-PLATE CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER

Steps:

• Cook the livers until done in any way you prefer.
• I grill them under the broiler.
• Chop the onions medium-coarsely and fry in the oil until browned, but not burnt.
• You have to babysit the onions, constantly stirring, so they don't burn.
• This can take some time, pull up and chair with a good book, or do other things but keep an eye (and nose) out for the onions.
• With the steel knife, grind the livers in a food processor.
• Add the hard-boiled eggs and give it another whirl until they are incorporated with the liver.
• Add the onions and any extra oil from the bottom of the pot.
• Scrape every last bit of onion into the food processor bowl, this is where the major flavor comes from.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• You can also add any other spices that you like, but this detracts from the traditional flavor of Jewish chopped liver.
• Whirl everything around in the food processor until it reaches the consistency you want.
• Some people prefer it coarse, some like it very fine, almost pate-like.
• Scrape the chopped liver into a serving bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
• Serve with crackers or challah.
• Try to avoid the temptation to just shovel it into your mouth with a spoon directly from the bowl.

CHOPPED CHICKEN LIVER

Steps:

• Drain and pat the livers dry saute them in 2 batches in 2 Tablespoons of rendered fat over med-high heat; turning once, for about 5 minutes, or until just barley pink inside.
• Transfer them to a large bowl.
• DON'T OVERCOOK or livers will be dry.
• In the same pan, saute the onions in 3 Tablespoons of chicken fat over med-high heat for about 10 minutes or until browned.
• Add the Madeira and deglaze the pan, scraping the sides for about 15 seconds.
• Pour into the bowl with livers.
• Add the eggs, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne and remaining chicken fat (or melted margarine ) to the bowl.
• Toss quickly to combine.
• Transfer mixture to the bowl of food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse 6-8 times until coarsely chopped; do this in batches.
• Season to taste and chill.
• Serve on cocktail rye, crackers, toast points or matzo.
• Enjoy until next year!