Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Braunschweiger Pate ~ Love It Or Hate It


My grandmother was a wonderful cook. She could turn the most ordinary ingredients into something special and her cooking reflected our German heritage. I remember crocks of sauerkraut fermenting in the basement and the wonderful smell of schnitzel frying on her stove. A favorite treat was braunschweiger spread made from liverwurst and spices. I loved it when I was young and it is still one of my favorite snacks. For some strange reason my sister won't touch it.


Braunschweiger, a soft spicy pork sausage that is usually smoked, has its origins in the Brunswick province of Germany and is a favorite in many German households. If you like liver sausage I know you will love this. Go ahead, give it a try. This has so much more flavor than a chicken liver pate.


Braunschweiger Pate
  • 8 ounces liverwurst
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon mace
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup softened butter

Combine all ingredients except butter in a medium bowl and mash with fork until smooth and well combined. Blend in butter. Cover and refrigerate. Serve with crackers and enjoy. Sehr gut.

21 comments:

  1. Ja! Es Gut! (is that right, lol)...I LOVE Braunschweiger. I think I need to make some for our next family gathering...it's been a few years since I've even had any...well, any homemade that is. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe :D

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  2. This Irish gal loves it!
    Use to serve it as an appy for gatherings...my recipe is very different though..

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  3. My Dad's side of the family was German. I like this dish too.
    Do you make saurbraten as well?

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  4. I LOVE liverwurst, so I'm definitely going to try this. I'm not just saying that; I am really and truly going to make this. I'll have to get some mace; I don't even know what mace tastes like, but I'm game to try it. I usually make liver pate using chix or turkey livers, but this sounds so delicious and easy, too! I can't wait to taste it! Three YUMS up!

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  5. Wow, I'm happy that you all like liverwurst. It might be something you have to grow up with.

    Kris - You bet, I make sauerbraten. No sauerkraut, however, Too smelly.

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  6. Oh yes..you really have brought out my German side. Love this stuff, but will try your recipe. I usually just open and slice it.

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  7. Well, I don't like liver and worst of all liverwurst, but my husband loves before. I buy liverwurst for him once in awhile. I will have to try to make this for him soon. THANKS!!! Geri

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  8. I love it too. Will have to try using it this way.

    Ramona

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  9. I'm in the 'Love it' camp! Being Danish but growing having so much German heritage in Wisconsin my mother would serve fresh liverwurst as an appetizer or on sandwiches. I also love chicken liver pate so I will certainly try this recipe!

    Here are just a few of the different liver sausages you can buy in Milwaukee :)

    http://www.usinger.com/ala_liver.php

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  10. LOve it..I would make this..Mustard:) Sausages.. all of it!

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  11. Terrific recipe, Cathy. Best of all it's easy to do. Your photo is terrific.

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  12. I was not a liverwurst gal but my brother would beg for liverwurst sandwiches everyday! He would love tis.

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  13. My dad was a braunschweiger and liverwurst fan! Liver is on my "will never again cross my lips" list! I have tried and I can't.

    My grandpap made sauerkraut when he lived with us. It did smell but it is oh so good! I lean toward the jar of sauerkraut! Nothing better than pork and sauerkraut!

    I am interested in the sauerbraten recipe! I have been looking for a good one.

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  14. I love both liverwurst nd braunschweiger. I'm German heritage as well. Unfortunately, my husbnd does not share my love for either!

    But I my try your recipe -- just for myself!

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  15. My family is German too. I don't remember Braunschweiger but we did eat liverwurst sandwiches. My dad called it liver cheese and I loved to eat it if I didn't think about it too hard. (I have to laugh when I think about this now because I really was a picky eater as a child.)

    Now, for some reason, I never buy it. I guess I don't really know what to look for and I don't think anyone else would eat it at my house. Still maybe I'll try your recipe sometime, just for old time's sake.

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  16. this sounds wonderful...I love liverwurst and it goes so good on my homemade rye bread....saurkraut is another big favorite...I cook it with apples/redpotatoes/onions/dijon mustard....Oh thanks Cathy it's after midnight and now I'm hungry....

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  17. I am not a fan of liver or pate but I did enjoy a bit of liverworst when I was a kid.

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  18. My hubby is going to send you a "thank you" note for this one...and the roasted tomato one, too...oh, and the tomato soup one as well!!! He is so happy I've found your blog. LOL :)

    Thanks for stopping by mine & for your kind words about my tablescape.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  19. I'm back with a follow up comment! Made this! Loved It! I couldn't find Mace anywhere at the store, so I used a smaller amount of nutmeg instead. Totally yummy! This will find a spot on my Christmas buffet! :-)

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  20. I'm very happy you liked this spread, Paula. Thanks for letting me know.

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  21. This is a favorite of mine..but unfortuinately my family isn't a fan. I still get my braunschweiger fix with my sisters get together..and always looking for different ways to fix it..will have to pass this along to them!

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Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you enjoyed my blog and will leave a comment or two. And come back again of course ~ Cathy