LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2021

CHICKEN LIVER PÂTÉ Even the highest quality chicken livers are an inexpensive purchase, so pick them up from your butcher to get the freshest ones possible. The completed pâté is covered lightly with melted butter, a step that cannot be skipped. This prevents it from oxidizing, which could lead to a bitter flavour and tar- nished colour. 1/2 lb (225 g) chicken livers, rinsed well under cold water 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp (175 + 15 mL) butter, divided 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt Freshly cracked pepper to taste

1 For the cherries, combine 1 tbsp (15 mL) reserved cherry syrup with cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine 1 cup (250 mL) reserved cherry syrup with drained cherries, 3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean pod and seeds in a me- dium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-­ high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cherries are deeply red and wrinkled, and syrup has lightly reduced, about 25 minutes. Stir cornstarch mixture, then add to cherries. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes more. Scrape into a bowl and refrigerate, covered, until completely cool, 2 hours. Discard cinnamon stick and vanilla bean before using. 2 For the sponge, arrange oven rack at centre of oven. Preheat to 350°F (177°C). Lightly butter three 8-inch (2 L) metal cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper. Dust with flour. Set aside. 3 In a medium saucepan, melt 1 1/4 cups (310 mL) butter with milk over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Let cool to room temperature, 15 minutes. 4 In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat eggs with 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) sugar and seeds from 1/2 a vanilla bean on medium-high speed until pale and thick, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir cooled but- ter mixture, then add to egg mixture on lowest speed, just until combined. Add flour mixture on lowest speed, just until no streaks remain and a shiny batter forms. Gently scrape batter into prepared pans; smooth tops lightly. 5 Bake in centre of oven until cakes are springy to the touch, 26 to 28 minutes. Trans- fer to a wire rack and let cool completely in pans, 1 hour. 6 To finish, in a large bowl, whisk cream with icing sugar and skimmed milk powder, if using, until soft peaks form. Turn cakes out onto rack; remove parchment. Trim tops. Set 1 cake on a cake plate. Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip with some cream. Pipe a circular line of cream just inside outer edge of cake to create a barrier to hold cherries in place. Fill centre with half of the cherries, evenly spreading to cream edge. Stack with another cake and repeat with whipped cream and remaining cherries. Stack with final cake and spread remaining cream all around top and sides to cover. Sprinkle perimeter of cake with toasted almonds. Chill until ready to serve.

ALMOND LAYER CAKE WITH SOUR CHERRIES

Denmark is known for its layer cakes that are made exclusively with old-fashioned sponges covered with plenty of cream. The trick to getting it right is ensuring the batter isn’t overmixed; you want to keep as much air from the whisked eggs as possible by incorporating the butter and dry ingredients on the lowest speed just until it all comes together. Cherries can be made ahead and chilled in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Sponge can be made ahead and chilled, wrapped in plastic or an alternative covering, for up to 2 days. Skim milk powder is added to provide extra stability to the cream. If you don’t have any on hand, it can be omitted as it won’t impact the texture or flavour. SOUR CHERRIES 1 jar (796 mL) sour pitted cherries in light syrup, drained and liquid reserved 1 tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch 3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar 1/2 small cinnamon stick 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped and reserved

2 shallots, finely chopped 1 small garlic clove, minced 2 tbsp (30 mL) Cognac 1/2 tsp (2 mL) allspice

Freshly grated nutmeg to taste Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)

1 Trim any connective tissue or discoloured pieces from livers. Cut each in half where the lobes naturally separate. 2 In a large frying pan, melt 1/4 cup (60 mL) butter over medium heat. When butter is foaming, add livers. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning often, until livers are just no longer pink inside, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Set aside. 3 To the same pan, add shallots and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until soft and lightly brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in Cognac, carefully ignite with a barbecue lighter or match to quickly burn off alcohol. Alternatively, Cognac can be reduced for 2 minutes. When flame subsides, or after 2 minutes, remove from heat and stir in allspice and nutmeg. Let cool for 10 minutes. 4 Cut 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter into cubes, then transfer to a food processor along with cooled livers and shallot mixture. Process until very smooth, scraping down sides if needed. Scrape into a serving bowl; smooth top. 5 In a small saucepan, melt remaining 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter. Pour evenly over pâté. Refriger- ate until set, 1 hour. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, if using, before serving. Serve with baguette. Pâté can be made ahead and chilled for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

SPONGE 1 1/4 cups (310 mL) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing 1/2 cup (125 mL) whole milk 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) almond extract 2 3/4 cups (675 mL) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) granulated sugar 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped TO FINISH 1 carton (500 mL) 35% cream 3 tbsp (45 mL) icing sugar 2 tsp (10 mL) skim milk powder (optional) 1/4 cup (60 mL) toasted sliced almonds

Serves 6 to 8

Serves 6 to 8

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HOLIDAY 2021 FOOD & DRINK