You’ll always find someone who says they know the secret for the absolute best version of this Ashkenazi classic, and that nothing tastes like theirs/their bubba’s/auntie Rivka’s. I have no need to brag as I know I have the secret — taking your time. Caramelising the onions low and slow gives the dish its unique texture and flavour. You can use a flavourless vegetable oil, but for a really great flavour, use kosher chicken fat (shmaltz). Finally, hand chop your livers. But most important, nice and slow: you’ll really taste the difference.
Method:
-
Warm the oil over a very low heat in a large pan and fry the onions in with some salt until soft and caramelised, stirring continuously. The onions should turn a very light colour — do not let them brown or they’ll be bitter. This should take you 10-15 minutes.
-
Add the chicken livers and chicken fat (or extra oil) and cook for another 10 minutes or so until cooked through.
-
Reserving the liquid from the pan, drain it off, cool and then refrigerate the chicken livers and fat in one dish and the drained liquid in another.