
The two-method forcemeat — ground meat plus blended liver — gives both texture and silkiness. The fried test piece is essential; under-seasoned pâté always disappoints. Season assertively — it tastes milder cold.
Line the pastry with thin bacon for moisture and a smoky note. Pour chicken stock through the chimney holes after baking to fill gaps.
Homemade Strasbourg-style Pâté en Croûte
By Sergei Martynov
A home kitchen adaptation of the classic Strasbourg pâté — no foie gras, but the same principle: spiced, cognac-scented forcemeat baked inside a golden pastry crust and sliced cold.
What you'll need
Ingredients
- 400 g
See recipes with chicken liverschicken livers, trimmed and cleaned
i - 300 g
See recipes with chicken breastchicken breast, roughly chopped
i - 300 g
See recipes with pork neck or fatty shoulderpork neck or fatty shoulder, roughly chopped
i - 150 ml
See recipes with heavy creamheavy cream, 30% fat
i - 2
- 1
See recipes with white onionwhite onion, finely diced
i - 2 cloves
See recipes with garlicgarlic, minced
i - 2 tbsp
See recipes with cognac or brandycognac or brandy
i - 1 tsp
See recipes with truffle oiltruffle oil (optional)
i - 0.5 tsp
See recipes with ground nutmegground nutmeg
i - 0.5 tsp
See recipes with dried thymedried thyme
i - 1.5 tsp
See recipes with fine saltfine salt
i - 0.5 tsp
See recipes with black pepperblack pepper, freshly ground
i - 3 tbsp
See recipes with fine breadcrumbsfine breadcrumbs (if needed to bind)
i - 400 g
See recipes with all-butter puff pastryall-butter puff pastry, thawed
i - 1
See recipes with eggegg, beaten (for egg wash)
i
How to make it
Instructions
- 1
Cook the aromatics. Heat oil, cook onion 8–10 min until golden, add garlic 1 min. Cool completely.
- 2
Build the forcemeat. Grind chicken and pork (medium die). Blend livers smooth. Combine, add cream, eggs, cooled onion, cognac, spices. Fry a test spoonful. Add breadcrumbs if too loose.
- 3
Line a 25×10 cm loaf tin with 2/3 of pastry (3–4 mm thick), 2 cm overhang. Chill 15 min.
- 4
Fill firmly, smooth top. Cover with remaining pastry, seal edges. Egg wash. Make 2 steam holes, insert foil chimneys.
- 5
Bake at 180°C for 60–70 min until deep golden. Internal temp must reach 72°C.
- 6
Cool 30 min in tin, then chill minimum 6 hours (overnight better). Slice cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my pâté come out crumbly and dry?
Usually too-coarse grind. Combine methods: grind chicken/pork, blend livers smooth. Use 30% cream. 6-hour chill is essential.
How to prevent raw bottom pastry?
Place on lowest rack or preheated sheet. Brush pastry inside with egg white. Center must reach 72°C.
Can I substitute chicken livers?
Yes. Beef liver (soak in milk 1–2h). Pork liver is milder. Or skip liver entirely: use 700g chicken+pork mix.
How long does it keep?
Fridge 4–5 days wrapped. Sliced: 3 days. Freezes 1 month whole. Thaw in fridge overnight.
Why make holes in the pastry?
Without them, steam separates pastry from filling. Foil chimneys keep channels open throughout baking.












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