Image source: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/home-remedy-for-fatty-liver-disease-final-opt.jpg
Over the weekend I prepared pate using elk liver from High Wire Ranch. The animals are fed a diet entirely of grass and hay, with no antibiotics and no hormones. Talk about old school and the way things should be. For some of Saturdays diners, including a vegan recently fallen from grace, it was their first experience feasting on this delicious and nutritious organ.
Now, if you are new to liver as well, you are probably recoiling in disgust and imagining a nasty, floppy, sloppy thing. Well, I am happy to say this pate wasnt one of the more livery ones Ive produced. The seasoning, onion, and olive oil merged to offer a creamy, tender, spicy flavor. The former vegan had an interesting experience watching me cook. Initially repulsed by the blood, which I told her was a cranberry marinade, she then completely switched gears and decided to sample a bite of liver raw, as she had watched Sundancers do. It had the consistency of a crisp melon.
Every native culture has sacred foods that are fed to children and pregnant women. This food is chosen for its superior nutritional value - people who are growing, and people who are growing other people, require a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals in order to perpetuate a strong, vibrant, healthy species. Well, guess what. Very often the sacred food is liver. Its fallen out of fashion, but even as recently as 50 years ago liver was a weekly staple in many homes. Its sad that we now focus on the animals muscle as our protein source - its not anywhere near as nutritious as the organs. But its certainly good for those of us who still choose to nourish our bodies with this potent substance: a pound of organic livers will often cost you less than $4. Talk about getting a ton of bang for your buckif we are trying to maximize nutrition and taste while minimizing dollars, look no further.
Liver is natures most concentrated source of Vitamin A and contains all the B vitamins in abundance. Many of us tend to be deficient in both. Its also one of our best sources of folic acid, iron and copper. And on Sunday we experienced another of livers legendary benefits: the anti-fatigue factor. We were all shocked by the fact that despite drinking to excess and sleeping 4 hours the night before we were all actually able to function relatively well.
But doesnt the liver store the toxins? you might ask. The liver neutralizes toxins; it does not store them. Toxins are more likely to be lodged in the fatty tissues and nervous system. But the liver DOES store a host of vitamins and minerals, all of which you are able to access by eating it. As always, please select liver with as many adjectives as possible (grass finished, free range, antibiotic free, organic). Its best to pass on the conventional. And because liver is so powerful, a 4oz serving once or twice per week is sufficient.
I credit my friend and colleague Lisa Lawson for introducing me to the joys of pate with this simple recipe.
Lisas Pate
1 pound liver, as free range and grass fed as possible, cut into pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
sea salt and pepper
1 bunch parsley
butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or organic lard
seasonings of your choice: try an Italian blendherbes de Provencerosemary, garlic, thyme, sage
1. Sautee onion in oil until translucent (5 min). Remove and place in blender.
2. Add more oil to the pan and add liver.
3. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and seasonings.
4. Cook on both sides. Inside should still be pink (few minutes on both sides).
5. Add liver AND JUICES FROM PAN to blender. If the cooking hasnt yielded much juice, add a splash of water.
6. Blend.
7. Taste. It shouldnt be gross. If it is, add more seasonings.
8. Eat on its own or with crackers, tortilla, celery, carrot
9. Prepare for bionic strength!
