Chicken Liver Mousse with Mascarpone

• 1/4 pound bacon, finely chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 tart apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon minced thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
• Pinch of grated nutmeg
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 pound chicken livers, trimmed and patted dry
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1/2 cup mascarpone

Instructions:

• In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp, 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl; reserve for another use.
• Add the onion, apple and a generous pinch of salt to the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until starting to brown, 8 minutes. Stir in the thyme, pepper, paprika, nutmeg and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, 1 minute; transfer to a food processor.
• In the skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Season the livers with salt and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until barely pink inside, 4 minutes. Add the bourbon and simmer for 1 minute. Scrape the livers and any juices into the processor; let cool.
• Add the mascarpone and remaining stick of butter to the processor and puree. Press the mousse through a fine sieve and season with salt; spread in a serving bowl. Press a sheet of plastic wrap onto the surface. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days; serve at room temperature.

  Recipe from Food & Wine “Chicken Liver Mousse with Mascarpone”, by Portland Meat Collective founder Camas Davis.