Pate With Pistachios

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Step 2

   Cut pork and veal into cubes and set aside.

3. Step 3

   Cut ham into ½-inch cubes. There should be about 2 cups. Set aside.

4. Step 4

   Carefully trim chicken livers. Cut off and discard any connecting membranes.

5. Step 5

   Heat butter in a heavy skillet and add shallots. Cook briefly, stirring. Add chicken livers and sprinkle with thyme and bay leaf. Cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Step 6

   Put cubed veal into the container of a food processor or electric blender and blend slightly finer than store-bought hamburger. Empty veal into a mixing bowl.

7. Step 7

   Put pork into the container of a food processor or electric blender and blend a little coarser than store-bought hamburger. Add pork to veal.

8. Step 8

   Put liver mixture into the container of a food processor or electric blender and blend as finely as possible. Pour and scrape this into the bowl with ham and veal. Add the reserved two cups of cubed ham and the pistachios. Add allspice, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, cayenne, wine, salt and pepper and blend well with fingers. To test mixture for seasoning, shape a small portion of the mixture into a patty and cook, turning once, in nonstick skillet until cooked through. Taste the patty and add more seasonings as desired.

9. Step 9

   Pack the mixture into a 5- or 6-cup loaf pan. Smooth over the top, rounding it slightly. Place bacon slices on top. Cover closely with foil and place pate in a heatproof baking dish. Set the dish on the stove and pour boiling water around loaf pan. Bring the water to the boil. Place the pate in the water bath in the oven and bake 45 minutes or to an internal temperature (using meat thermometer) of 150 degrees. Remove pate from oven and let stand until ready to serve.

10. Step 10

    This pate is excellent hot or cold. Cut it crosswise into slices and serve.