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    Home » Recipes » Antipasti and Light Bites

    Chicken Liver Pate - Tuscan Crostini

    Published: Nov 23, 2017, Last updated: Feb 9, 2021 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Classic Tuscan crostini made with homemade chicken liver pate. A great festive treat made with parsley, sage, capers and garlic it's packed full of flavour and perfect spread on crusty bread or added into pasta sauces.

    You can buy chicken liver pate in supermarkets almost everywhere, especially in Italy where it's very popular. But like most things in life, making your own at home is 10x better. You can adjust the flavours to your liking, it's fresh and packed full of flavour.

    Chicken liver pate spread on crusty bread on a blue plate

    When I think of pate, I always think of this time of year. I absolutely love little nibbles and finger food, it's one of the things I love about the festive period (lots of party food) and what Christmas spread would be complete without chicken liver pate to spread on crackers or crusty bread!?

    Chicken liver pate is so popular in Italy and it's what makes the classic Tuscan crostini, char-grilled crusty bread spread with good quality pate. It's often served in bars as an 'aperitivo' with drinks and makes a great antipasto.

    When I was growing up pate was always brought out at Christmas time and I always loved it. As I got older and discovered my love for cooking, I realised how easy it was to make your own homemade chicken liver pate and of course how much more delicious it was.

    How To Make Chicken Liver Pate - Step By Step

    I have to admit I get a bit squeamish when I'm dealing with livers. It's not something I cook a lot and it's only really at this time of year that I cook with them. I will admit I always put on gloves to clean the livers which doesn't take long but it makes the handling of the livers much easier for me.

    First, clean the livers by removing any green or yellow bits, wash and dry them well.

    Roughly chop the livers and add them to a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, chopped parsley and sage, capers, anchovies and a minced garlic clove.

    Cook the mixture for 8-10 minutes on a medium heat then set aside to cool.

    step by step photos on how to make chicken liver pate

    Add the liver mixture to a food processor and add 1 tablespoon of vin santo with the motor running, continue to blitz the liver into a smooth paste.

    Add the smooth pate back into the frying pan with cubes of butter and cook, stirring the livers and butter together until completely mixed together. The pate will need to heat through so it melts in with the butter (around 3 minutes).

    Transfer the pate into a ramekin or serving dish and leave to cool before chilling in the fridge until firm.

    Tip: If you're planning on tipping the pate out of the dish or ramekin, make sure to line the dish with cling film first so you can remove it easily.

    To Make Tuscan Crostini: 

    • Cut thick slices of good quality crusty bread. Drizzle each slice with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
    • Place the bread on a hot griddle pan until charred on each side. Spread with homemade chicken liver pate and serve.

    More Appetizers You Might Enjoy;

    • Roasted fennel, salami and ricotta crostini
    • Stracchino and sausage crostini
    • Mini sausage pizzas with pear and gorgonzola
    • Whipped ricotta dip with thyme roasted toamtoes
    • Taleggio white bean dip

    a close up of chicken liver pate spread on crusty bread

    If you've tried this or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I'm getting up to.

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    5 from 6 votes

    Chicken Liver Pate Recipe - Tuscan Crostini

    Classic Tuscan crostini made with homemade chicken liver pate. A great festive treat made with parsley, sage, capers and garlic it's packed full of flavour and perfect spread on crostini or added into pasta sauces.
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes
    Servings 10 people
    Calories 939kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 10.5 oz (300g) chicken livers
    • 1 heaped teaspoon caper
    • 4 anchovy fillets
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 large handful parsley finely chopped
    • 8 sage leaves finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon vin santo (or marsala or sherry)
    • 3.5 oz (100g) butter

    Instructions

    • First, clean the livers by removing any green or yellow bits, wash and dry them well.
    • Roughly chop the livers and add them to a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, chopped parsley, sage, capers, anchovies and a minced garlic clove.
    • Cook the mixture for 5 minutes on a medium heat then set aside to cool.
    • Add the liver mixture to a food processor and add 1 tablespoon of vin santo with the motor running, continue to blitz the liver into a smooth paste.
    • Add the smooth pate back into the frying pan with cubes of butter and cook, stirring the pate and butter together until completely mixed together. The pate will need to heat through so it melts in with the butter (around 3 minutes).
    • Transfer the pate into a ramekin or serving dish and leave to cool before chilling in the fridge until firm. 

    Notes

    Tip: If you're planning on tipping the pate out of the dish or ramekin, make sure to line the dish with cling film first so you can remove it easily.
    • Cals per serving 93
    To make Tuscan Crostini:
    • Cut thick slices of good quality crusty bread. Drizzle each slice with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt. 
    • Place the bread on a hot griddle pan until charred on each side. Spread with homemade chicken liver pate and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 939kcal
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

    More Antipasti and Light Bites

    • Artichoke Bruschetta (Quick, Easy & Delicious)
    • Artichoke Pesto (Quick 5 minute Recipe)
    • Italian Stuffed Eggplant (Mozzarella and Tomato)
    • Burrata and Anchovy Sandwich from Amalfi

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Duane Shubert

      October 07, 2022 at 7:54 pm

      Great recipe!
      I added a shallot first and a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, yummy!
      I made a double batch.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Emily Grech

      October 04, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Ciao, I am Emily as well. I am from Malta and I also love everything about Italy. Last year I visited beautiful Tuscany and every morning we had this liver pate for breakfast, really delicious.5 stars

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        October 04, 2018 at 6:46 pm

        Ciao Emily, Tuscany is so beautiful, especially in Autumn if you ever get a chance to visit at that time of year. I love this pate and it's so easy to make. Thanks so much for stopping by!

        Reply
    3. Kathryn Clayton

      November 24, 2017 at 3:30 pm

      Love the addition of capers and anchovies to the chicken livers. Going to try this next time I make pate.5 stars

      Reply
    4. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      November 24, 2017 at 1:57 pm

      I love chicken liver pate so this looks amazing to me. I also associate pate with this time of year.5 stars

      Reply
    5. Amy

      November 24, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      I love love love chicken liver pate. My mum makes it a lot but now I'm at the other side of the world so I need to make it myself! Going to make this over the weekend, thanks!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Laura

      November 24, 2017 at 12:17 pm

      I love liver pate, but unfortunately I am the only one in my home. It does not matter anyway, I can eat the entire ramekin. I normally use cognac and never added capers. It is a great idea, I will try to add them next time. Yum!5 stars

      Reply

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