Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 pound fresh chicken livers, trimmed and patted dry
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 shallots, sliced
2 ripe Bartlett pears, cored and chopped
3 large fresh thyme sprigs, plus more for garnish
3 whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
1/4 cup pear brandy
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar or Balsamic Syrup
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Clarified Butter, melted
Maldon sea salt, for serving
Red Onion and Golden Raisin Jam, for serving
Toasts or fruit and nut bread slices, for serving
Preparation
Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Season livers with salt and pepper; add to skillet and cook, turning once, until just cooked through (liver may be slightly pink inside), about 4 minutes per side. Remove livers from skillet and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium and add another tablespoon butter to skillet. Add shallots and season with salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add pears, thyme, cloves, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and adding water as necessary to prevent burning, until pears are soft and easily pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 15 minutes.
Remove skillet from heat; uncover and add brandy, scraping up browned bits at bottom of skillet to deglaze. Remove thyme and cinnamon sticks from skillet and discard.
Cut remaining 5 tablespoons butter into small cubes. Transfer remaining contents of skillet to the bowl of a food processor along with chicken livers, cream, vinegar, nutmeg, and cut butter. Process until mixture is very smooth; season with salt and pepper.
Strain chicken liver mousse through a fine mesh sieve, using a spatula to push mousse through sieve. Transfer to a jars and top each with a sprig of fresh thyme. Add enough clarified butter to top of chicken liver mousse to form a thin film, about 1/16 of an inch; cover and transfer to refrigerator to chill. Keep chilled until ready to serve, up to 1 week. Serve with sea salt, jam, and toasts.
