Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Liver Pate

This recipe is inspired by Fabio Picchi, who is the creator of the finest liver pate I have ever eaten— anywhere on the planet. It’s origins, though, are from Annagloria.

Ingredients

2 Tbl Extra virgin olive oil
2 cups Yellow onion, small diced
1 cup Carrot, small dice
½ cup Celery, small diced
1 cup Veal top round, chopped small
1 cup Pork or veal liver, chopped
1 cup Chicken liver, chopped
½ cup Prosciutto ham, chopped
1 Tbl Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped
½ tsp Fresh oregano, chopped
½ tsp Fresh thyme, chopped
3 each Bay leaves
1 cup Marsala wine
2 tsp Kosher salt
1 tsp Fresh ground black pepper
½ lb. Butter, cut into 8 pieces

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the bay leaves, pork/veal liver, chicken liver, veal top round, salt and pepper and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes. Add the prosciutto, oregano, thyme and Marsala. Stir constantly until all the Marsala has evaporated. Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaves. Fold in the butter and stir until it is completely melted and incorporated. Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the parsley and mix on medium speed until  the mixture has a creamy texture, about 4-5 minutes. Reduce to low speed and continue to mix until the mixture has cooled. Pour into prepared terrine mold. Allow to set at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

To serve, remove from the terrine mold by running a paring knife dipped in hot water around the edge. Turn upside down onto a cutting board and lightly tap the bottom of the terrine mold to release the pate. Slice ¼“- ½“ thick with a sharp knife while still cold. Run the knife under hot water and wipe clean before each slice to ensure clean, smooth slices. Serve chilled or room temperature.

Recent Recipes

Grilled Tripletail with Lump Crab and Chive Beurre Blanc

Tripletail has always been my favorite Gulf fish. The old-timers used to say, "If you can see a tripletail, you can catch a tripletail." They have this peculiar habit of floating near the surface around buoys, crab traps, and other floating objects, often lying on their sides and appearing almost lifeless. This behavior makes them easy to spot and, if you're quick with your cast, easy to hook. The meat is mild, white, and flaky—perfect for grilling. Pairing it with lump crab and a chive beurre blanc elevates this dish to something truly special.

Read more

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more