Calf’s-Liver Dumplings With Chianti Onion Soup

Name: Calf’s-Liver Dumplings With Chianti Onion Soup
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: Serves 8
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons lard or butter; 5 medium red onions, thinly sliced; 5 medium white onions, thinly sliced; 6 cloves garlic, sliced; 2 cups Chianti; 1 star anise; 1 3-inch cinnamon stick; 7 juniper berries; 3 quarts chicken broth; Kosher salt; freshly ground pepper; 3 ounces fresh crusty bread, cubed; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon lard or butter; 1/2 white onion, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon slivered garlic (about 3 cloves); 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped thyme leaves; 3 sage leaves, finely chopped; 1 1/2 tablespoons Chianti; 1 pound calf’s liver, peeled, deveined and cut into large cubes; 2 egg yolks; 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs; 1 tablespoon flour; 1/3 cup minced chives; Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

Recipe from Chris Cosentino

Adapted by Amanda Hesser

Updated May 2, 2024

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Rating: 4(7)
Comments: Read comments

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves 8

For the Soup

4tablespoons lard or butter
5medium red onions, thinly sliced
5medium white onions, thinly sliced
6cloves garlic, sliced
2cups Chianti
1star anise
13-inch cinnamon stick
7juniper berries
3quarts chicken broth
Kosher salt
freshly ground pepper

For the Dumplings

3ounces fresh crusty bread, cubed
½cup heavy cream
1tablespoon lard or butter
½white onion, finely chopped
1tablespoon slivered garlic (about 3 cloves)
½tablespoon finely chopped thyme leaves
3sage leaves, finely chopped
1½tablespoons Chianti
1pound calf’s liver, peeled, deveined and cut into large cubes
2egg yolks
½cup dry bread crumbs
1tablespoon flour
⅓cup minced chives
Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

For the Soup
1. Step 1
  Prepare the soup: In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the lard over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, adjusting the heat as needed, until caramelized, 40 to 60 minutes. Add the wine and reduce to a glaze. Meanwhile, fill a piece of cheesecloth with the star anise, cinnamon and juniper and tie into a bundle; add this and the chicken broth to the onions. Simmer about 20 minutes. Remove the spice bundle. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
2. Step 2
  Make the dumplings: In a bowl, soak the bread in the heavy cream. In a medium sauté pan, melt the lard over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, thyme and sage and cook until the onions are translucent. Add the wine and let it boil off. Let cool.
3. Step 3
  Bring a small saucepan of lightly salted water to a simmer. In a food processor, blend the onion mixture, liver, egg yolks and soaked bread until a paste forms. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the bread crumbs and flour, seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Step 4
  Using 2 soup spoons dipped in cold water, form an oval dumpling of the liver mixture. Test it by dropping the dumpling into the simmering water and cooking for 5 minutes. Lift from the water, slice in half and taste for seasoning and doneness. (It should be barely pink in the middle.)
5. Step 5
  Bring the onion soup to a gentle simmer. Continue forming dumplings with the liver mixture. Simmer them in the soup; you may need to do this in batches. Divide the soup among 8 bowls with 4 to 5 dumplings in each, then top with chives and a little olive oil.