Pâté Accompaniments

Good bread is the essential accompaniment for pâtés. Some diners will eat the pâté with a knife and fork and nibble on the bread to cleanse the palate between bites. Others like to place a morsel of pâté on a piece of bread and eat the two together like a miniature open-face sandwich. Because pâtés are basically French in origin, crisp baguettes and other French-type breads are most appropriate. Smooth, spreadable pâtés are sometimes served with crackers.

Because they are dense, rich, and have a high fat content, pâté products are traditionally accented with foods that are tart and crunchy. However, the strong flavors of such condiments may overpower more subtle and refined pâtés. For this type of pâté, you may wish to serve an accompaniment that has a milder, less sharp flavor. Following are some ideas for pâté accompaniments.