In this rustic version of chopped liver, Vin Santo adds a touch of sweetness.
What to buy: Be sure to use fresh chicken livers from a reputable source.
Vin Santo is a sweet Italian dessert wine that can be found in most liquor stores.
This recipe was featured as part of our Christmas Day Feast, Italian Style menu.
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings as an hors d’oeuvre
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total: 25 mins
- Active: 25 mins
Ingredients (12)
- 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces chicken livers, trimmed of veins, tendons, and sinew
- 1/4 cup Vin Santo or dry sherry
- 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 teaspoons capers, drained and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves (about 4 medium leaves)
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1 sweet baguette, sliced and toasted
Instructions
- Place chopped anchovies on a cutting board and make a paste by dragging the side of a chef’s knife across them at a 15-degree angle about 10 times or until smooth; set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat until foaming. Add anchovy paste, onion, salt, and pepper and sauté until onion is softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium high, add chicken livers, and sauté, stirring occasionally, until livers are browned all over, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Vin Santo or sherry and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, capers, and sage and simmer, stirring occasionally, until almost all of the liquid has evaporated and the livers are cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, transfer livers to a cutting board, and reserve onion mixture in the pan. When cool enough to handle, finely chop the livers until they’re about the size of popcorn kernels. Return livers to the pan and stir in vinegar. Serve on toasted baguette slices.
