Chicken Liver Pâté

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 2 pounds chicken livers, lobes separated and well trimmed
2. 1/2 cup milk
3. 1/2 pound sliced bacon
4. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
5. Salt and freshly ground pepper
6. 1 shallot, minced
7. 1 garlic clove, minced
8. 6 tablespoons Cognac
9. 2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
10. 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
11. 1 cup heavy cream
12. 1 baguette, thinly sliced and toasted, for serving

1. In a medium bowl, soak the chicken livers in the milk for 30 minutes to remove any bitterness; drain and pat dry.
2. In a large heavy skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until totally crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Discard all but 1 tablespoon of the fat.
3. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the bacon fat over moderately high heat. When the butter stops foaming, add one-third of the chicken livers to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook without stirring until browned, about 2 minutes per side. The livers should be pink inside but not bloody. Transfer them to a plate. Repeat with the 2 remaining batches of livers, using 1/2 tablespoon butter for each batch.
4. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in the skillet. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the Cognac, parsley and thyme and boil for 1 minute.
5. Scrape the contents of the skillet into a food processor and add the chicken livers, the bacon and the remaining 5 tablespoons butter. Puree until smooth. Add the cream and process to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the pâté into four 1-cup crocks, smooth the tops and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour. Serve with the toasts.