Velvet Underground Appetizer (Printable Version)

Sophisticated layers of creamy pâté paired with sweet jams and crunchy nuts for a flavorful starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pâté Base

01 - 7 oz smooth duck or chicken liver pâté (store-bought or homemade)

→ Jam Layer

02 - 4 tablespoons fig jam
03 - 2 tablespoons blackcurrant jam

→ Crunchy Surprises

04 - 1.75 oz roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
05 - 1 oz toasted walnuts, broken into pieces

→ Accompaniments

06 - 1 small baguette, thinly sliced and toasted (optional: gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks)
07 - Fresh herbs (such as chives or parsley), finely chopped, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Spread half of the pâté evenly onto the base of a shallow serving dish or individual ramekins.
02 - Dot half of the fig jam and blackcurrant jam over the pâté, swirling lightly to create a marbled effect.
03 - Sprinkle half the chopped hazelnuts and walnuts evenly over the jam layer, gently pressing them in to bury them.
04 - Repeat the layering with the remaining pâté, jams, and nuts to form a second layer, ensuring some nuts remain hidden beneath the surface.
05 - Smooth the top with a spatula and garnish with additional chopped nuts and fresh herbs.
06 - Serve immediately with toasted baguette slices, gluten-free crackers, or vegetable sticks.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks far more complicated than it actually is, which means you'll accept all the compliments with a knowing smile.
  • The textural surprises of hidden nuts create genuine moments of delight with each bite.
  • Completely hands-off once assembled, so you can focus on your guests instead of the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't let the pâté get warm—working with it straight from the fridge keeps it smooth and spreadable instead of greasy.
  • The nuts need to be pressed into the layers enough to stay put but not so hard you're crushing them into powder.
03 -
  • Make this up to 2 hours ahead and keep it chilled—it actually tastes better as the flavors settle into each other.
  • If your pâté feels stiff from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before spreading to keep everything smooth and elegant.
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