Dairy free, Egg free, Gluten Free, Iron rich, Nut free, Protein rich, Soy free
5 stars
About the recipe
Introducing liver to babies doesn’t have to mean serving chunks of liver on a plate. This silky smooth pate is one of our favourite ways to introduce one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods in a way that’s gentle, delicious and easy for little ones to enjoy.
Chicken liver is one of the richest natural sources of highly bioavailable iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and folate—nutrients that are especially important during the first year of life, when babies’ iron stores begin to decline and their nutritional needs rapidly increase. Paired with naturally sweet apple and onion, this pate has a mild, balanced flavour that adults can enjoy too!
Spread it onto toast, stir it through mashed vegetables, or offer it on preloaded spoons as one of your baby’s first iron-rich foods. A little goes a long way, making this recipe an easy addition to your baby’s meal rotation.
200gramsfresh organic or pasture-raised chicken livers
2TBSPbone broth, breastmilk or formula
Method
Heat 2 tablespoons of the ghee or coconut oil in a frying pan over low heat.
Add the diced apple, onion, nutmeg and thyme, then cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apple and onion are soft and fragrant.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor or a tall jug if using a stick blender.
Return the frying pan to medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of ghee or coconut oil. Once melted, add the chicken livers and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, until browned all over and just slightly pink in the centre (they should not be raw).
If using bone broth, add 2 tablespoons to the pan and scrape up any browned bits. If using breastmilk or formula, remove the pan from the heat first, then stir in the liquid.
Transfer the cooked livers, pan juices and liquid to the food processor with the apple mixture.
Blend until completely smooth, adding the remaining tablespoon of liquid if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
Allow to cool before serving or storing.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Swaps
Chicken livers: Duck or lamb’s liver can also be used, although chicken liver has the mildest flavour.Ghee: Swap for coconut oil or butter.Bone broth: Water can also be used if preferred.Apple: Pear makes a lovely alternative for a slightly sweeter flavour.
If you’ve got a copy of Toddler to Table, you might recognise this recipe! It’s inspired by our much-loved Lemon Butter Roast Chicken recipe, adapted for the slow cooker to make those busy days even easier. There’s something so comforting about a whole roast chicken, but standing over the oven for hours isn’t always practical. … Continued
These Leftover Enchiladas are one of our favourite ways to transform slow-cooked meat into an entirely new meal. Soft tortillas are filled with tender shredded meat, black beans, sweet corn and melty cheese, then baked under a rich homemade enchilada sauce until bubbling and golden. They’re comforting, nourishing, freezer-friendly and a brilliant way to stretch … Continued
If you’ve ever thought slow cooker meals had to be bland, watery or lacking flavour, this recipe is here to change your mind. These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are one of my favourite recipes because they deliver juicy, fall-apart pork with crispy, caramelised edges that taste like they’ve come straight from your favourite Mexican restaurant. … Continued
This recipe is adapted from one of our most-loved recipes in Toddler to Table. The original version comes together much more quickly on the stovetop, but I wanted to create a slow cooker version for those busy days when you want dinner to cook itself. As part of my slow cooker series, I’m on a mission … Continued
This is one of those meals that tastes like you spent hours cooking… but really it’s just a throw-everything-in-a-pot situation. It has all the cosy flavours of lasagne without the layering, baking or dishwashing marathon. Rich tomatoey broth, tender pasta, hearty mince and creamy cheese on top… honestly the ultimate comfort food. I also love … Continued
This is one of those meals that feels a little bit special, but is actually so simple to make. The meatballs are soft and full of flavour, and cooking them directly in the broth not only keeps them incredibly juicy, but also adds so much depth to the soup itself. It’s the kind of dinner … Continued
There’s something so comforting about French toast, especially when it becomes one of those go-to meals you can rely on for everyone in the family. This version, from our book Toddler to Table, is exactly that. It’s simple, nourishing, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re feeding a baby just starting solids, a busy toddler, or yourself … Continued
Chia seeds are one of those small-but-mighty foods that we come back to again and again, especially when supporting little tummies through the transition to solids. They’re incredibly nutrient dense, meaning even a small amount delivers a beautiful boost of fibre, healthy fats, protein, calcium and magnesium. One of the biggest reasons we love chia … Continued
