Medium
You can ring the changes by substituting blanched leek greens instead of cabbage leaves. If you do, include layers of leek in the terrine as well as for wrapping. The ultimate variation adds layers of fresh foie gras, exchanging half a chicken suprême for an equal weight of duck or goose liver cut into thin escalopes.
One at a time, put the suprêmes between sheets of film and pound them out thinly to make chicken escalopes, using a mallet or the flat of a heavy cleaver.
Line one terrine with the leaves, overlapping them slightly and making sure you have enough leaf hanging over the sides to cover the top when the dish is filled.
Put one layer of chicken on the bottom using two of the pounded suprêmes. Cut and trim to make a snug fit, filling in any gaps with the trimmings. Cover this layer with 2 slices of Parma ham, grind over some black pepper and lay 3 slices of butter on top.
Repeat this procedure three times, ending with ham and butter on the top.
Wrap the leaves over the top to cover. Dot with any remaining butter, then cover with foil. Put into the bain-marie or roasting pan and pour water to come half-way up the sides of the terrine. Place in the oven.
After 1¼ hours, test for doneness by inserting a skewer or sharp pointed knife into the centre of the terrine. When removed, the metal should feel quite hot on the tongue (be careful). If it does not, continue to
When satisfied that the terrine is fully cooked, remove from the oven and put to cool for 1 hour. Then weight it to press and firm it up (this makes slicing and serving easier). The best way of doing this is to place another terrine dish of precisely the same size on top and then weight it with about
Leave weighted in a cool place until quite cold. Then remove the weights and refrigerate for at least four hours before serving, preferably overnight.
Just before serving make the tomato compote: peel, deseed and dice the tomatoes. Dress with the vinegar, olive oil and
Run a palette knife gently round the sides of the terrine invert it over a cutting board then tap and shake gently to remove. Cut into slices using the sharpest knife possible. Serve with the tomato compote.
© 1993 Alastair Little. All rights reserved.