Chestnut and Red Wine Pâté

Ingredients

Contains: wheat, tree nuts, soy (auto-detected from the ingredients and method; we can miss things, so check labels)

• 1 tbsp olive or groundnut oil
• 1 small onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• pinch dried thyme
• 150ml/¼pt red wine
• 150ml/¼pt vegetable stock
• 100g/4oz chopped chestnuts
• 100g/4oz chestnut
• 75g/3oz wholemeal breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp brandy
• 10-15ml/2-3 tsp soy sauce
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• fresh herbs, crackers

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, the garlic and the dried thyme, and cook gently for 5 minutes until soft.

2. Pour in the red wine and vegetable stock, bring to a simmer, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly reduced.

3. Stir in the chopped chestnuts and the chestnut, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.

4. Add the brandy and soy sauce and simmer for 1 minute.

5. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the wholemeal breadcrumbs until the mixture thickens. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

6. Blend the mixture in a food processor or mash it with a fork until it forms a coarse, spreadable pâté.

7. Spoon the pâté into a serving dish, press it level, cover, and chill for at least 2 hours until firm.

8. Scatter the fresh herbs over the pâté just before serving, and serve chilled with the crackers.