Chestnut Pâté

This is the creamiest chestnut spread ever, with the most divine texture and taste. Try it on toast, with crackers or as a dip.

Ingredients

Foie Gras
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
225ml vegetable stock
180g pouch Merchant Gourmet Simply Roasted Chestnuts (https://www.merchantgourmet.com/products/product/whole-chestnuts/)
2 tbsp Brandy
2 tbsp walnut oil
Salt
Baguette or Sourdough bread for toast (Optional)
Quick Pickled Veg
1 small carrot, cut into ribbons
1 small courgette, cut into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
2 shallots, peeled and finely sliced
1 small apple, halved and finely sliced
10g flat leaf parsley leaves
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp cider vinegar
3 tsp sugar

Get a medium sized saucepan. Add the vegetable oil, onion and garlic. Put a lid on. Sweat over a medium heat for 7-8 minutes until soft but not starting to go brown.
Take the pan off the heat. Add the brandy. Put the pan back on the heat, boil until there is almost no liquid left to remove the alcohol, be very careful if you are cooking on gas as the brandy will catch alight.
Add the vegetable stock and chestnuts. Bring to the boil. Reduce by half. Take the pan off the heat.
Cool slightly. Transfer to a blender. Add the walnut oil. Blend until the mixture is totally smooth.
Toss the vegetables with the salt, sugar and vinegar. Leave to sit for 5 minutes. You will have a lot of these, any leftover will keep for a few days.
Serve the chestnut ‘foie gras’ with the quick pickled vegetables and grilled or toasted bread.

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