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    Home » Cuisine » French » What is Foie Gras a Classic French Appetizer

    What is Foie Gras a Classic French Appetizer

    Published: Oct 10, 2019 Modified: Jan 29, 2023 by Lizzy

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    Foie Gras on a platter

    French Recipe! What is Foie Gras? A Classic French favorite that you either love or hate. Some say it is an acquired taste but the French will disagree with you. A holiday favorite that you will find in Parisian house hold.

    Foie Gras on a platter

    They will tell you that most people that try it for the first time will love it a life time or never try it again. This seems to be true for me and Jeff. I love it, have  since I was a child and would ask for it with a piece of bread. Jeff on the other hand tried it for the first time and almost could not speak for an hour from drinking the water down to kill the taste! He wants to try everything and so far fois gras and beef tartar are not on the list as favorites. Keep in mind, its not cheap to make either!

    fois gras fat

    While visiting my cousin in Reims France, I was able to see how it is made from a French women. It's really pretty simple as long as you follow the steps.

    Contents hide
    1 What is Foie Gras - Classic French Appetizer
    2 Step by Step - Preparing Fois Gras
    3 Variations
    4 Ways to Serve
    5 Tip
    6 Classic French Fois Gras
    7 OTHER ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN FRANCE:
    8 RECIPES FROM FRANCE:

    What is Foie Gras - Classic French Appetizer

    You won't find duck liver sold at to many grocery stores. It can always be ordered in the United States. The place that does ship is located where Jeff grew up as a kid. Good old Hudson Valley New York, The fois gras can be shipped over night from D'Artagnan.

    Fois Gras pot

    The other thing that is needed is the fois gras mold. Which makes it perfect to make the dish.

    Step by Step - Preparing Fois Gras

    Step by Step

    1. Season the fois gras first with only salt and pepper.
    2. You should only cut the liver in sections and try to keep it as whole as possible. That is the trick to the duck liver. Then place it down into the mold.
    3. Place the cranberries and chopped walnuts with the cognac and let it sit in a bowl for 15 minutes.
    4. Spread it on top of the fois gras.
    5. Layer the second layer of the fois gras and pour the remainder of the cognac on top. Take the press that came with your mold and press down tightly.
    6. Place the fois gras in the oven for 30 minutes
    7. Once it has been in the refrigerator for 2 days. You can remove it from the mold by running a knife under hot water and going around the edges of the mold.
    8. Once the fois gras is loss place it on a plate to flip over.
    9. You can now cut the fois gras into slices ½ inch thick.

    Slicing Foie gras

    Variations

    There are different ways to prepare fois gras. It can be prepared plain or with just chopped walnuts and dried cherries. My cousin also like to make it with chopped pistachios with gold raisins. You can add thyme as an extra season when you are marinating the duck liver.

    Ways to Serve

    • Fois Gras goes great with a crusty French baguette.
    • Sprinkle coarse salt on top to bring out the flavor.
    • You can also spread a little fig jam on the bread before the fois gras, this is how the French love it.
    • Serve a sparkling wine or champagne to accompany the fois gras.
    • Olives and French gherkins are also served while eating fois gras.

    Tip

    Remove the duck fat from the top and store in a container in the refrigerator for other use.

    • Roast potatoes
    • Onions
    • Put a little on the pan and fry an egg
    • Roast vegtables in the oven

    Traditionally fois gras is made for the holidays or special occasion. It is always a treat for me to have it during the holidays and this year I will be making my own except for Jeff!

    Classic French Fois Gras

    Lizzy Cascalheira
    Classic French Fois Gras terrine recipe that is easy to make with simple directions to follow.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 45 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Appetizer, Lunch
    Cuisine French
    Servings 16
    Calories 110 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ lb. fresh duck foie gras
    • 1⁄3 cup good quality cognac
    • ½ cup cranberries
    • ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Season the fois gras first with only salt and pepper.
    • You should only cut the liver in sections and try to keep it as whole as possible. That is the trick to the duck liver. Then place it down into the mold.
    • Place the cranberries and chopped walnuts with the cognac and let it sit in a bowl for 15 minutes.
    • Spread it on top of the fois gras.
    • Layer the second layer of the fois gras and pour the remainder of the cognac on top. Take the press that came with your mold and press down tightly.
    • Place the fois gras in the oven at 200° for 30 minutes. All the fat will be at the top when the inside reaches 115° on a meat thermometer.  Take out of the oven and place in the refrigerator.
    • Once it has been in the refrigerator for 2 days. You can remove it from the mold by running a knife under hot water and going around the edges of the mold.
    • Once the fois gras is loss place it on a plate to flip over.
    • You can now cut the fois gras into slices ½ inch thick to serve for each person.

    Video

    Notes

    Remove the duck fat from the top and store in a container in the refrigerator for other use. You can use for the following
    • Roast potatoes
    • Sautee onions
    • Put a little on the pan and fry an egg
    • Roast vegtables in the oven

    Nutrition

    Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 8gFat: 3gCholesterol: 219mgSodium: 132mgPotassium: 111mgVitamin A: 16970IUVitamin C: 2.3mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 13.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    OTHER ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN FRANCE:

    • Reims France Travel Guide
    • Ruinart Champagne Tour in Reims France 
    • Eiffel Tower in Paris France on Our First Day
    • Paris Tours to Notre Dame Cathedral

    RECIPES FROM FRANCE:

    • French Country Style Tomato Basil Soup
    • What is Foie Gras a Classic French Appetizer
    • Quick Low-Carb Egg Breakfast
    • French Einkorn Crepes

    ★ Like this post? ★ Let us know in the comments below or on social media using #LizzyLovesFoods and tag us @LizzyLovesFoods

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    « Champagne Drinks for Dessert {Reims France}
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    Filed Under: Appetizer, Europe, French, Gluten Free, Professional

    About Lizzy

    I love to cook, eat and find good places to have a great meal so no matter where I go I always ask the locals the same question, “Where’s a good place to eat?”

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      January 18, 2021 at 5:29 pm

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