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Chicken Liver with Wilted Radicchio, Caramelized Eschalots & Reduced Balsamic
4.9 from 345 votes

Chicken Liver with Wilted Radicchio, Caramelized Eschalots & Reduced Balsamic

This recipe features chicken livers marinated in milk, then pan-fried and served with wilted radicchio and caramelized French shallots. A reduction of balsamic vinegar adds a sweet, tangy glaze, balancing the rich, earthy flavor of the liver. The combination delivers contrasting textures and layers of flavor, blending bitterness and sweetness alongside tender offal.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French, American, British

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lb chicken liver
  • 16-20 French shallots
  • 2 radicchio lettuce heads
  • 16 watercress sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 cups milk
  • plain flour
  • butter
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • sea salt flakes
  • black pepper in grinder

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the larger livers into uniform pieces and remove the sinew off any.
  2. Place in a bowl and cover with the milk, allow to stand in fridge at least 2 hours.
  3. In a small saucepan reduce the balsamic over a medium flame until reduced by two thirds, allow to cool (this can be done in a larger quantity as reduced balsamic is always nice to have on hand).
  4. To par blanch the eschalots, peel them and place them in a saucepan of cold salted water.
  5. Place the saucepan over high heat and bring to the boil, once boiling, allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and drain the onions.
  7. In a non stick fry pan sauté them in a touch of butter and a splash of olive oil, season with salt and pepper and add the brown sugar.
  8. Keep the pan moving until the eschalots are evenly browned and remove them.
  9. Wipe the pan clean.
  10. Remove the outer leaves of the radicchio until you get to the deep red centre of the heads.
  11. Break up the red hearts and tear them into uniform bite size pieces (remove the white spines by cutting a V in each leaf).
  12. Remove the livers from the milk and allow to drain.
  13. Pat the livers dry with paper towel and toss gently one at a time in seasoned flour.
  14. Return the pan to high heat and add a splash of olive oil and some butter.
  15. Sear the livers for 1 minute on the first side, turn and sear a further 40 seconds on the other side.
  16. Add the onions back in and toss until warm.
  17. Add the radicchio and toss together and immediately remove to a mixing bowl.
  18. Add the picked watercress, arrange evenly amongst 4 plates and drizzle with a touch of reduced balsamic.

Notes