Yield: 6 servings

Felicity Cloake / the Guardian

Dec. 2016: This is the first pâté I’ve actually made. It came out great, with a wonderful flavor. All pâté’s are an aquired taste. I love all kinds from mousse style like this to country pâté with its chunky texture.

• ¾lb chicken livers, cleaned
• 12TBS butter, diced
• 1shallot, finely chopped
• 1tsp thyme leaves, finely chopped
• ¼cup Madeira
• ¼cup double cream
• ½tsp salt
• 1allspice berry, ground
• ¼tsp ground ginger

Cut the livers into roughly 1/2 inch pieces, and heat a knob of butter in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the shallot and thyme and soften, then turn up the heat to medium-high, add the livers and sauté for a couple of minutes until browned on the outside but still pink inside. Tip into a food processor.

Add the Madeira to the pan and boil until reduced to a couple of tablespoons. Tip into the food processor, add the cream, salt and spices and whizz until smooth. Add all but 4 tablespoons of the butter, and whizz again. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

Pass through a sieve into a serving dish and chill for half an hour. Melt the remaining butter and pour on top, then refrigerate until set.