Chicken Liver Pate

Preparation time :	20 minutes
Cooking time :	12 minutes
Total time :	32 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients

800g chicken livers
200g mixed salad leaves, including curly endive, radiccio and lamb's lettuce
115g smoked back bacon
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Pinch of fresh thyme
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

Method

1. Clean the livers, cutting away the tough sinews and any discoloured or bloody flesh (you will easily discard half of the livers). Chill until needed. Put the leaves in a large bowl.
2. Slice the bacon into lardons (small strips). Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the bacon and cook until crisp. Reduce the heat and stir in the shallot, garlic and thyme. Cook for 3 more minutes until the shallots are soft and golden. Spoon the mix into the leaves. Return the pan to the heat.
3. Add a further 2 tablespoons olive oil to the frying pan and increase the heat. Season the chicken livers and fry briskly, stirring regularly, until they are well coloured on the outside but just pink inside. Add the vinegar and allow it to bubble up before tipping everything into the mixing bowl.
4. Toss quickly and check the seasoning before dividing the salad between 6 appetiser plates. Serve immediately.