Homemade foie gras: tips and recipes! - La cuisine de Bernard (2024)

Foie gras is a must for the end of the year celebrations. I see more and more people making homemade foie gras and it is a recipe that I am regularly asked to make. In this article I reveal the best duck foie gras recipes that I have perfected over the past few years.

Contents

A little history

Foie gras is a delicacy made from the liver of a specially fattened duck or goose. It is believed to have appeared in ancient Egypt as early as 2500 BC, where it was enjoyed by royalty and the wealthy.

Foie gras gained popularity throughout Europe in the Middle Ages for our pleasure! It became a staple of French cuisine in the 18th century and was modernized in the 19th century thanks to new methods of force-feeding, which allowed farmers to produce foie gras in an industrial way.

In France, and in the world, foie gras is consumed mainly in winter. It is very appreciated during the end of year celebrations, especially at Christmas, when it is found on almost every table as an aperitif.

My best recipes to make a success of your Foie Gras

In order to better guide you, I indicate the cooking method, the time of realization and the necessary material of all my recipes to make its home-made foie gras. In all cases, the only essential ingredients are raw liver, salt, pepper and the alcohol of your choice. As mentioned above, you can add any seasoning you like. Then you have to be patient. After cooking, it is necessary to place your home-made foie gras in the refrigerator.

How not to miss its Foie Gras?

This is the first question you should ask yourself! Because if duck foie gras is easy to make, there are certain elements that are essential to the making of homemade foie gras.

I want to remind you that the best recipes are made with the best ingredients. Be sure to choose a very good quality of fresh foie gras.

The first step in making the foie gras is to devein the two lobes of raw foie gras. You can choose to buy a duck liver already deveined. I explain in the first method how to devein its fresh liver. To carry out this step, remember to take the foie gras out of the refrigerator long enough in advance so that it is at room temperature. The foie gras will be softer and easier to devein.

Once deveined, the foie gras must be seasoned to perfection.

In general, the following amounts are used for seasoning:

  • 10 to 15g of salt per kilo of foie gras
  • 3 or 4g of pepper per kilo of foie gras
  • 5/6 pinch of sugar per kilo of foie gras

You can then add alcohol such as port, cognac, rum, sweet white wine or other spices (Sichuan berry, truffles, chili pepper, etc.) To each his own!

Now that your foie gras is seasoned, all you have to do is respect the cooking time and the resting time in the terrine. For that, I give you my 6 easy recipes for homemade foie gras!

The material necessary to prepare the Foie Gras

It is not necessary to have a professional kitchen to make a very good foie gras. You will still need a bowl if you decide to use the traditional oven recipe, but it is possible to do without it with boiling water cooking. If you want to prepare a foie gras that will keep for a long time, you will need an airtight glass jar and to carry out the method offoie gras in sterilizedterrine.

In the sixth method I propose, I use a vacuum machine and an immersion heater that not everyone has at home. This method is very efficient when you need to make a large number of foie gras but is not necessarily better than another.

When to serve the foie gras ?

Foie gras is a delicate dish that is often prepared at home. To preserve homemade foie gras, put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen, which will extend its shelf life. When freezing foie gras, it is important to ensure that it is packaged in a well-sealed bag so that air cannot enter the package and cause freezer burn.

If not frozen, homemade foie gras should be eaten within three or four days of production. If you want a longer shelf life, salting and drying the foie gras can help you keep it for up to two weeks. To salt the foie gras, place it in a bowl with a mixture of salt and sugar (about 2 tablespoons of each) and mix until it is completely coated. Then transfer the mixture to a jar or storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

No matter how you choose to store your homemade foie gras, always make sure to keep it refrigerated or frozen until it is ready to eat.

You can also choose the method of sterilized Foie Gras in order to preserve it in terrine. This method has the advantage of being able to keep for several months, and the longer the foie gras is kept, the better it will be!

What is the best alcohol for foie gras?

The best type of alcohol to pair with a foie gras dish is usually a sweet dessert wine like Sauternes, Port or Tokaji. These wines have enough sweetness and body to balance the richness of the foie gras, but are not so heavy as to overpower it. Other appropriate choices are champagne, pinot gris or riesling. A full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon can also accompany a particularly rich foie gras dish.

this recette

How to preserve homemade foie gras?

Foie gras is a delicacy that is often prepared at home. To preserve homemade foie gras, put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen, which will extend its shelf life. When freezing foie gras, it is important to ensure that it is well sealed so that air cannot enter the package and cause freezer burn.

If not frozen, homemade foie gras should be eaten within three or four days of production. If you want a longer shelf life, salting and drying the foie gras can help you keep it for up to two weeks. To salt and cure the foie gras, place it in a bowl with a mixture of salt and sugar (about 2 tablespoons of each) and mix until it is completely coated. Then transfer the mixture to a jar or storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

No matter how you choose to store your homemade foie gras, always make sure to keep it refrigerated or frozen until it is ready to eat.

What to do with your foie gras?

Foie gras can be eaten as is but it is possible to sublimate it by using it in different recipes.

Whether you prefer it semi-cooked or in a terrine, you will find in my blog dozens of tips and recipes to marry your homemade foie gras to perfection.

Baglama dried figs filled with foie gras

Hamburger au foie gras, crème de cèpes et oignons caramélisés

Sushi with fried foie gras

Homemade foie gras: tips and recipes! - La cuisine de Bernard (2024)

FAQs

How to make the perfect foie gras? ›

Season the whole fresh foie gras, without deveining it. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. In a non-stick pan with no added grease, sear the foie gras on each side until slightly colored, then cook it in the oven for 20 minutes, basting it regularly with its rendered fat. Serve in thick slices.

How do the French serve foie gras? ›

Baguette and white pepper. Perhaps, it is the most classic way to present duck liver. Usual white bread, a slice of foie gras and freshly ground white pepper. It is very important not to smear bread over with the foie gras (it is only the way of how to serve pate de foie gras), but simply put a piece on top.

How to serve foie gras at home? ›

Foie gras combines very well with farmhouse bread, sandwich bread, brioche and canapé crackers. You can toast them for more flavor. If you like sweet and savory combinations, we recommend serving it with a bread containing fruit and/or nuts. But don't try to spread the foie gras: place it gently on the bread.

How do you prep foie gras? ›

4 Ways to Prepare Foie Gras
  1. Seared foie gras: The easiest way to prepare fresh foie gras is to cut it into thick slices and sear it. ...
  2. Foie gras terrine: To make a terrine of foie gras (also known as a pâté de foie gras), press the liver into a mold and gently heat it in a hot water bath to cook.
Jun 7, 2021

Why is foie gras unhealthy? ›

Foie gras is unhealthy for humans. Eighty-five percent of its calories are from fat, and a 2-ounce serving contains 25 grams of fat and 85 milligrams of cholesterol.

Can you eat too much foie gras? ›

If you do eat foie gras, you shouldn't each too much in one sitting. It's rich and high in fat, so eating an excessive amount could cause digestive upset. In addition, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems should only eat heat-sterilized, canned foie gras.

What cheese goes best with foie gras? ›

Foie Gras, Seared, Chilled Foie Gras Terrines, Foie Gras Mousse. Noble cheese such as: Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola. Dry-aged, salty cheeses as an accent: Vieille Mimolette, Asiago, Parmesan, Dry-aged Gouda. Some cured meats: Prosciutto, Bresaola, Coppa, Culatello.

What kind of bread is used for foie gras? ›

The traditional accompaniments :

Freshly baked or lightly toasted country bread and toasted sandwich bread have rightly become great favourites. But also : Traditional baguettes or even wholemeal baguettes which are all the rage at the moment, Poilâne-style sourdough bread is also a popular accompaniment for Foie Gras.

What is the dark side of foie gras? ›

The production of foie gras (the liver of a duck or a goose that has been specially fattened) involves the controversial force-feeding of birds with more food than they would eat in the wild, and more than they would voluntarily eat domestically.

What jam goes well with foie gras? ›

Foie gras goes perfectly with a soft white wine, especially if it is served with a sweet condiment such as onion or fig jam. Among the sweet white wines that go best with foie gras are Bergerac, Côtes de Gascogne, Jurançon or Gaillac but also Alsace wines such as Pinot Gris or Gewurztraminer.

What pairs well with foie gras? ›

Onion or fig confit, mango chutney, apricot compote, orange marmalade... Nothing is forbidden when it comes to accompanying foie gras with a fruity preparation. This sweet and savoury mixture, well known to gourmets, is a sure bet for your festive dinners.

What to eat after foie gras? ›

To finish the meal credibly, serve a nice slice of walnut cake - or a creamy cabécou cheese with a salty bite.

Why do you soak foie gras in milk? ›

Some start with an overnight soak in milk, which accomplishes... nothing, other than to slightly lighten the color of the liver as it leaches out a bit of blood that you may have missed. If you feel like doing it, it won't hurt, but I personally skip this step—the flavor of your torchon will be the same.

Is foie gras good for you? ›

Foie gras is not only delicious, but it also has some amazing health benefits. For one, it's packed with nutrients like protein and iron. It also contains a healthy dose of omega-three fatty acids, which are great for your heart. And if you're looking to lose weight, foie gras can help you do that, too.

How to marinate foie gras? ›

Method. Clean the foie gras by gently separating the lobes and removing the connective tissue from the larger veins without damaging the meat. Marinate it with calvados and spices for 6 hours. Drain and remove from the marinade.

How is foie gras traditionally made? ›

What Is Foie Gras? Foie gras directly translates from French to English as “fat liver,” which is exactly what it is. To produce foie gras, geese and ducks are prevented from exercising and are force-fed, in a process called gavage, so that their livers grow abnormally fat.

Should foie gras be cooked well done? ›

But for my money, there's no better way to enjoy foie gras than fresh, sliced into a thick slab, and cooked quickly in a hot skillet to a perfect medium-rare. Luckily, it also happens to be one of the simplest foods to cook properly, provided you understand the basics.

What's the difference between foie gras and pate? ›

Main Ingredient: Pâté is a broad term for various spreads or mixtures, and it can be made from meats, seafood, or vegetables. While liver is a common ingredient, it's not always the liver of ducks or geese. Foie gras specifically refers to the liver of ducks or geese that are fattened using the gavage method.

Does foie gras need to be fully cooked? ›

Canned foie gras must be cooked to an internal temperature of 212F degrees to be shelf-stable, and this compromises the texture and flavor. While mousse of foie gras is very nice on a toast point, it is worth eating foie gras from the whole, fresh liver when possible.

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