Sunday, August 5, 2012

#CookForJulia French-Style Country Pâté


When I list my heroes, Julia Child is at the top. This post is part of the PBS Food #CookForJulia celebration. And considering all of the stories told about her dinner gatherings in her kitchen, this French-Style Country Pâté seems more than appropriate!



Yes, I admire Julia’s cooking skills and ability to teach those skills to others, but I most admire her quest to find her talent at the age of 37 and the passion she gave to the pursuit once she found her life’s calling. Her journey somewhat parallels my own since I was near that age when my first newspaper article was published. And like her husband, Paul, I also have a wonderful love who supports my own pursuit of my life’s passion. (I wrote a great deal about my admiration for Julia on her birthday last year. You can read it here.)


One summer, when I was a food reporter in New Hampshire, the chef/owner of a Manchester restaurant invited me to be a celebrity chef for one night to raise money for the local food bank. Since I admire Julia, and the Julie & Julia movie was about to open, the chef and I planned a Julia Child-inspired menu. I even helped prepare and serve the dishes.

It was a hot summer evening, but everyone had a great time, and the food was wonderful. I was so busy that I only got a taste of each dish, but the one I remember the most was the French-Style Country Pâté, a recipe we took right out of Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom.


The pâté has ingredients that are easy to find at most grocery stores, and it is simple to make. However, it does take time to bake, and it tastes best if you eat it a day or two after it’s made. So plan ahead. The ingredients for the recipe below came right from Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom, but I used two of her other books to come up with the proper pâté-making technique.







What’s wonderful about this pâté is it not only makes a lovely starter to a meal, but it also can be a meal in itself. Just add some olives, goat cheese, cherry tomatoes and bread, and you have an elegant, light summer supper!









25 comments:

  1. My Mom made a pate for Christmas one year and I always remembered it - I think I will have to give this one a try - sounds delicious!

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  2. Julia's success story really is a great and inspiring one! You found the perfect dish to represent her!

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  3. Thank you, Joanne!
    Pam, I seem to remember seeing Julia and Jacques make a pate on their show that was for the holidays. Must be a tradition!

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  4. I make pate rarely--usually for an autumn wine and cheese spread--but I notice it goes first. Always. People are just crazy about it. Thanks for this cool post...gotta love Julia always. Enjoy your Sunday!

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  5. It has been years since I've had pate! So delicious! Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Sounds good, Linda! I'll bring the toastettes!

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  7. I love pate. I definitely have to try this one to mix it up a bit.

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  8. I haven't had pâté in ages...yours turned out beautifully! And that dinner sounds like so much fun. Lovely Julia post,Linda =)

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  9. I really need to try this! I make a silky mushroom paté every year for Christmas, but I think it's time for a change up!

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  10. What a great recipe to have when entertaining. Something special and different.

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  11. Do you have any idea how much I love Pate? I can't wait to try this fabulous recipe. I am so glad you are part of our #SundaySupper group and love your inspiration.

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  12. You're braver than me for making this!! Great work.

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  13. I love pate! I grew up on chicken livers haha so I love all of it! Thank you so much for cooking for this #SS :)

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  14. I want to try this soon since I buy it so often. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Chicken liver pate is such a treat. This recipe sounds incredible! I like the addition of goat cheese, very intriguing.

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  16. Confession: I've never had pate. But I've had sushi and shredded jellyfish. Time to try it!

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  17. Paté? Amazing! I bow down to you for doing such a wonderful job!

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  18. This is really impressive. Would be wonderful for a dinner party. Great SS recipe.

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  19. Making your own pate, now that's impressive! That would be the perfect dinner party starter :)

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  20. This sounds like a great Christmas even dinner item to me, wonderful post!

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  21. You are so much braver than I am! I just don't think I can do pate....

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  22. I love pate, thanks for reminding me. I need to make one... :)

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  23. OMG! I have always been a little afraid of making pate ... can it really bedone at home ?! You are an inspiration!

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  24. I'm amazed how many people are intimidated by they thought of making pate. It really isn't difficult. If you can make meatloaf, you can make pate! There are only a couple of extra steps required. :)

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