Beef Chopped Liver Recipes

TRADITIONAL JEWISH CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Bring small saucepan of water with eggs to a boil. Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and set the timer for 9 minutes. Once timer has gone off, plunge eggs under cold water and cool completely. Peel and set aside. Cook onion in a sauté pan, with 2 tablespoons of schmaltz, over medium heat until medium golden brown and very soft. Add chicken livers and stir to combine. Turn off heat and add brandy and thyme. Turn heat on low (be careful as the brandy might ignite) and cook until all brandy has been absorbed or evaporated. Remove thyme and process mixture plus remaining schmaltz in food processor until creamy and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer liver to a decorative bowl or platter and chill at least 1 hour. Garnish as desired and serve with matzo or thinly sliced rye bread. If you can't find kashered chicken livers see how it's done:

CHOPPED LIVER RECIPE

Steps:

• Broil the liver to medium doneness or sauté in oil on both sides. Cool the liver completely. Brown the onions in a bit of hot oil.
• You can process the liver mixture in one of two ways.
• 1. Grind the liver, eggs and fried onions in a meat grinder.
• 2. Process the liver in a food processor until minced. Add the remaining ingredients and process until blended. Add the seasonings. You can add a bit chicken broth if needed to reach the desired texture.

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Prepare schmaltz and gribenes ahead of time, or purchase schmaltz from your local kosher market. Goose fat or duck fat can be used in place of schmaltz if desired. Prepare the livers by cutting off any tough pieces or stringy tendons. You should also cut away any pieces of liver that look discolored, yellow or strange. This is pretty much the worst prep job ever, as uncooked liver has a soft and slimy texture, so make sure this step is done by someone with a strong stomach.
• Add 2 tbsp schmaltz or oil into a large cast iron or nonstick skillet and melt over medium heat. Put half of the chicken livers into the skillet and fry them for 3 minutes on each side (about 6 minutes total). Season the livers generously with salt and pepper as they are cooking. *Note: If you plan to kosher your chicken livers by broiling them prior to making chopped liver, you will only need to sauté them in the skillet for about 1 minute on each side. Koshering the livers cooks them, so there is no need to sauté them for a long period of time. Be careful not to overcook or burn the livers, or they will become dry.
• After cooking, livers should be firm and browned on the outside while slightly pink on the inside. They will continue to cook internally after you remove them from the skillet; don't overcook them, or they will turn dry. When the livers are brown and firm, pour them into a medium-size mixing bowl along with the leftover schmaltz/oil from the pan. Add another 2 tbsp of schmaltz/oil to the skillet, melt it, and fry the remaining livers repeating the same process as above. Add the livers and leftover schmaltz/oil from the pan to the mixing bowl.
• The skillet should now be seasoned with schmaltz or oil, so you don't need to grease the pan again. Add the onion slices to the skillet and reduce heat to medium low.Cover the skillet and let the onion cook undisturbed over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Check once or twice during cooking just to make sure they are not over-browning or starting to burn. The onions should be softening, but not darkening at this point. This "steaming" process kick-starts the caramelization needed for sweetness in the chopped livers.
• Uncover the skillet, stir the onions, and continue to sauté them for another 30-40 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to keep the onions from burning. Ideally the onions should be deeply caramelized, tender and sweet - this is what gives Jewish chopped liver its trademark savory-sweetness.Don't try to speed up the caramelization process, it takes time-- and that's ok. Good things are worth waiting for. When the onions have reduced to about 1/3 of their original size and are soft, sweet, and golden, they're ready.
• Add the cooked onions to the mixing bowl along with 4 of the diced hard boiled eggs and the ½ cup of gribenes (optional). Season all ingredients generously with salt and pepper.
• Now it's time to chop all of the ingredients together into a blended mix. There are various schools of thought on the "right" way to chop liver. The old fashioned way is to chop it by hand with a knife, mincing and mincing until it resembles a rough pâté.
• Another popular method is using a meat grinder. I use a meat grinding attachment on my Kitchen Aid mixer on the fine hole setting. Works like a charm.If you want to take a more modern approach, fit your food processor with a metal blade. Place all ingredients into the processor and pulse for about 30 seconds, stirring once halfway through processing, until a roughly textured paste forms.
• Whatever method you choose, it's important to taste the chopped liver once it is ground. Add salt or pepper to taste, if desired. Be a bit generous with the seasoning, as the liver is best served chilled and the seasoning won't taste as strong after chilling.
• Chill the chopped liver in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with remaining diced hardboiled egg and minced parsley.

CHOPPED LIVER THE REAL MCCOY

Steps:

• Place the eggs into a saucepan in a single layer and fill with water to cover the eggs by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water, then cool the eggs under cold running water in the sink. Peel once cold.
• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Coat beef and chicken livers with 2 tablespoons of corn oil, then spread livers on a baking sheet. Broil in the preheated oven until brown on the top, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip the livers and continue to broil until the livers are no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, about 5 minutes. Place livers in a bowl and chill in the refrigerator.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of chicken fat and 2 tablespoons corn oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Place onion in a bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• Finely chop the chilled beef and chicken livers, chilled onions, and hardboiled eggs together, then place in a bowl. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of chicken fat. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHOPPED LIVER RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the chicken livers on paper towels to drain. Place the eggs in your food processor bowl.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large 12-inch skillet. Add the chopped onion and fry until golden, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook a few more seconds, just until no longer raw. Using a spatula, transfer the skillet contents, including any remaining oil, to the food processor.
• Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the skillet. Add the chicken livers and cook them over medium heat (not higher or they could burst) until brown on the outside and barely pink on the inside, about 3 minutes per side. Overcooked livers are dry and grainy.*
• Again, use the spatula to transfer the skillet contents, including the livers, the oil, and any tasty bits left on the bottom of the skillet, to the food processor.
• Add the salt and pepper. Process briefly, about 30 seconds, stopping once to scrape the sides and bottom with a spatula. You don't want the chopped liver to be as smooth as a liver pate. It should have a bit more texture to it.
• Transfer the chopped liver to a serving dish. Cover and keep in the fridge for at least two hours, allowing the flavors to meld. Don't eat it when still warm! It won't be very good. It needs time to develop its deep flavor. Its flavor, as well as its texture, greatly improves after a rest in the fridge.

VAL'S HUNGARIAN JEWISH CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium high heat. Saute the diced onion until fairly soft. Add chicken livers and saute over high heat, stirring frequently. When livers are cooked through (no longer pink inside and the juices run clear), remove livers and onions from heat and place in a large mixing bowl.
• Mash livers with a potato masher. You will need to use your fingers, removing the membranes as you go (the livers will be quite juicy; be sure to leave the juice in). In a separate bowl, mash the eggs and add to the liver. Add the grated or finely chopped raw onion and chopped green onions and mix all together. The liver mixture should still be warm, and will slightly cook the onions. Season mixture with salt and pepper to taste and add at least 1 tablespoon paprika (more if desired, or if you're Hungarian!). Add 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Mix well with a large spoon and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• To Serve: Place lettuce leaves on plates, top with chopped liver and sprinkle generously with paprika and 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley. Garnish with sprigs of fresh parsley. Enjoy!

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Hard-boil the eggs for 10 minutes, drain, and set aside to cool. In a large frying pan, gently cook the onions in the oil (or schmaltz) until soft and golden. Increase the heat, add the livers, and stir for a few seconds so that they absorb the flavor of the onion. Either pour the mixture into a food processor and process to a coarse or smooth paste with the gribenes (if using), or pass the mixture through an old-fashioned grinder. Scoop into a bowl. Grate the eggs on the coarse side of a grater and add to the bowl, reserving a little of the grated egg for the garnish. Stir in the parsley and fold in gently. Moisten the mixture with some wine, brandy, or chicken stock, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until needed. Serve in scoops on individual plates topped with a little grated egg and paprika for color, and generous pieces of fresh Friday-night challah.
• To make gribenes and schmaltz
• Remove the spare fat from a raw chicken and place in a pan. (There is usually a lump of fat around the neck, in an older bird at least.) Add 1 cup (8 oz) dairy-free margarine, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 large onion (with the skin left on to enhance the golden color). Remove the skin from the chicken, cut into smallish pieces, and add to the pan. Set over very low heat and cook for 1 1/2-2 hours until all of the fat has been rendered gently out of the chicken skin. Remove the skin from the pan and drain on paper towels to form gribenes or crackling. Pour the fat (schmaltz) into a heavy-duty glass dish and store in the fridge until needed*. As the fat cools, a rich jelly will collect at the bottom of the dish. This jelly forms a delicious base for soup or sauces.
• The fat (schmaltz) will keep for up to 6 weeks in the fridge. Store the gribenes in the fridge.

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Drain the livers and saute them in 2 batches in 2 tablespoons of the chicken fat over medium-high heat, turning once, for about 5 minutes, or until just barely pink inside. Don't overcook the livers or they will be dry. Transfer them to a large bowl.
• In the same pan, saute the onions in 3 tablespoons of the chicken fat over medium-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 the livers.
• Add the eggs, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and the remaining chicken fat to the bowl. Toss quickly to combine. Transfer half the mixture to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse 6 to 8 times, until coarsely chopped. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Season, to taste, and chill. Serve on crackers or matzo.

KITTENCAL'S BEST CHOPPED BEEF LIVER!

Steps:

• Broil the liver on both sides until just cooked (do not overcook the liver!) cool completely, then cut into about 1-1/2 inch pieces; set aside.
• Sauté the onions in 4 tablespoon oil until caramelized (this should take about 15-20 minutes; cool slightly.
• Process the cooked chicken then measure out 1/4 cup.
• Process the liver and onions in a food processor until minced; add in all remaining ingredients along with the 1/4 cup minced chicken; process until blended about 10 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary.
• Season with salt and lots black pepper.
• Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight before using.
• The mixture will firm up when chilled (make certain to keep a spoon handy near the fridge, you won't be able to stop tasting this LOL!).

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the livers and sear until browned on one side, about 1 minute.
• Turn the livers over, add the shallots to the pan, and continue to cook until the livers are browned on the other side, about 1 minute more. Add the thyme and cook, stirring, for another minute or so. Remove the pan from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of the schmaltz and ¼ cup of the cognac. Stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor and let cool to room temperature. When livers are at room temperature, add the remaining 1/4 cup of schmaltz and the remaining 1/4 cup of cognac and process in the food processor until smooth.
• Transfer the puree to 4 (4-ounce) ramekins or a terrine large enough to hold it all.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (it will keep well in the refrigerator and can be frozen, as well).
• Bring to room temperature before serving.

CHOPPED LIVER SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Season liver with salt and pepper, and dust with flour, shaking off excess. Cook liver until golden brown and no longer pink in center, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, and let cool; reserve pan.
• Cook onion in reserved pan until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer onion to a medium bowl, and let cool completely. Chop liver, and add to onion. Stir in mayonnaise, and egg whites, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 30 minutes (or up to 1 day).
• Spread mayonnaise on 4 slices of bread. Divide chopped liver and arugula or watercress among bread slices. Sandwich with remaining bread.

NANA'S CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium heat. Brown liver on both sides (about 5 minutes per side). When the liver is done, set aside in glass dish. Allow the liver to cool for about 15 minutes and then chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, covered, or overnight.
• While liver is cooling on counter, cook onions on medium heat in the same pan. Add more oil if necessary. Onions should cook until they are translucent and soft, but not brown, approximately 5-10 minutes. When finished, set aside in a separate dish and let cool in refrigerator until you are ready to process the liver.
• Reserve oil from frying pan and store in airtight container. You do not need to refrigerate this.
• Cook and peel two hard boiled eggs. Let cool, then mashed them. Remove liver from refrigerator.
• Prepare meat grinder. Alternate putting liver and onions in grinder. Add some mashed eggs in between. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the liver is not smooth enough to your liking, either add some of the reserved oil or some fresh vegetable oil to achieve your desired consistency.
• Put the chopped liver in a large bowl and chill overnight in the refrigerator. Serve the next day.

CHOPPED LIVER PATE

Steps:

• The most important part of cooking with an iron skillet is to heat the pan first without any fat inside. When it is really hot, add your chicken fat ) shmaltz. Turn down the heat to simmer. I play with the gas burner while cooking, up and down according to the heat in the pan. If you notice the oil burning, turn down the heat. I immediately add the chopped onions after I added the oil. Keep stirring with a wooden spoon. The onions will turn translucent. If there is not enough shmaltz oil in the pan add a little vegtable oil and continue cooking the onions. Try not to overcook the onions. Take them out before they turn brown. While this is going on, rinse the livers under cold water and drain. After the onions are removed from the pan clean the pan with a slotted spoon of any dark pieces of onion. Then add a little more shmalltz to the pan and some livers. Do not crowd the pan. Cook livers one pan at a time. I constantly keep turning the livers. I cut into the liver to see if it is done. It should be cooked all the way thru just not burned. Next, combine the livers and the onions in a bowl. In the cuisinart fitted with the blade on the bottom place a small amount of the ingredients and pulse until you like the consistancy. I like it soft like a pate. Do this until all of the liver and onions are finely mashed. I then combine the pate with the hand chopped onions. Add salt and pepper to taste. I like the pate to be slightly more peppery. It looks nice to garnish with the extra chopped raw onions and if you like, some chopped hard boiled eggs. During passover, you can eat this with matzah or serve with crackers. Place in refrigerator immediately after preparation for at least a few hours in a sealed container. I enjoy the liver after it is removed from the frig for 20 minute Happy Cooking!

CHOPPED LIVER

Steps:

• Turn on broiler. Rinse beef and chicken livers thoroughly, and cut away membranes and extra fat. Cut beef liver into 1-inch pieces; chicken livers can remain whole. Place beef and chicken livers in a large baking pan, and drizzle with corn oil (pour oil into a flatware tablespoon and drizzle over livers; 2 tablespoons are ample.) Broil 8 to 10 minutes (keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.) Turn liver pieces, and broil for another 5 minutes. Liver should be fully cooked and lightly browned on both sides. Chill in refrigerator. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons corn oil and the same amount of schmaltz, and saute onions, stirring occasionally, until well browned. Chill in refrigerator. In food processor, combine liver, onions, hard-boiled eggs, 2 tablespoons schmaltz, salt and pepper, and blend until smooth. You will have to do it in batches. Chill before serving.