When you’re an offal lover, you’re in for a deal with. This tagliatelle with hen livers from Emilia-Romagna is completely scrumptious.
After I first tried it in a restaurant in Castello Lagusello, Mantua, Italy. I used to be barely hesitant, nevertheless it was love at first chunk!
I knew after I needed to make this hen liver pasta at residence!

Historical past
Pasta with hen livers is a traditional dish all through Italy, particularly in Emilia-Romagna, the place it’s historically served with tagliatelle. You will discover tagliatelle with hen livers on the menu in lots of conventional trattorias (Italian eating places) in Bologna and the encircling cities and villages.
The Fifth Quarter
In Italian, hen livers and different offal or giblets are referred to as ‘rigaglie’ or ‘frattaglie.’ These components of an animal, such because the liver, kidneys, brains, intestines, and bone marrow, are also referred to as the ‘quinto quarto’ or the fifth quarter.
This time period has its roots in a historic observe the place butchered animal meat was divided into 5 components. The ‘good’ meat was separated into 4 quarters. The primary and most interesting ‘quarto’ went to the the Aristocracy, the second to the clergy, the third to the rich, and the fourth ‘quarto’ was designated for the navy. So, what did the remainder of the inhabitants eat? The fifth quarter, which consisted of offal and different much less fascinating animal components!
Whereas offal won’t be a well-liked alternative amongst non-Italians, conventional Italian delicacies is plentiful with offal recipes!

Ingredient Notes
- Tagliatelle: Historically, tagliatelle is used with hen livers in Emilia-Romagna; nonetheless, you possibly can use different flat ribbon pasta corresponding to pappardelle and fettuccine.
- Hen Livers: Search for plump and glossy hen livers with a darkish purple coloration. If they’re brown, that signifies that they’ve oxidized and are both outdated or haven’t been saved properly.
- Eggs: Use recent, high-quality eggs with a wealthy orange yolk.
- Hen Broth: You need to use both recent, selfmade, or a inventory dice hen broth dissolved in boiling water.
- Parmiagno: Parmaigaino is the genuine parmesan on this recipe, with one other different being Grana Padano. They each work greatest freshly grated from a block, however you need to use pre-grated from a packet in case you’re brief on time.

Find out how to put together hen liver
Getting ready hen liver for the primary time can really feel immediating, nevertheless it’s simpler than it sounds. Comply with the steps beneath:
- Put together your workstation with a clear reducing bowl, a pointy pairing knife and a separate bowl to discard trimmings.
- Rinse the hen livers underneath chilly water to take away any particles.
- Place the hen liver on the chopping board and punctiliously trim away any seen fats or connective tissue. These components could make the liver chewy.
- There are two lobes with a skinny membrane connecting them. Reduce the connecting membrane to separate the 2 lobes. Test for any impurities like greenish spots, which point out remnants of the gallbladder. If there are, minimize and discard any patches.
- When you choose your hen livers in smaller bites, you’ll be able to then minimize them into smaller items.
Step by Step Directions
1) Clear and minimize the hen livers into items.

2) Soften the butter in a skillet or frying pan. Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
3) Add hen livers, sage and a bay leaf, then brown the hen livers.
Notice: the hen liver ought to solely be browned and never absolutely cooked on the step, as we’ll proceed cooking them in inventory later within the recipe.

4) As soon as the hen livers are browned, add the inventory and cut back the warmth to a simmer. Gently simmer the hen livers for quarter-hour, then take away the bay leaf and season to style with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer for an addition 5 minutes.
Notice: Whereas the hen livers are simmering, we are able to begin on the following steps.

5) In a small bowl, beat collectively the egg yolks, Parmigiano and milk, then place the bowl to the facet.

6) Convey a big pot of water to a boil. Add salt and convey to a boil once more. Add the pasta and prepare dinner till al dente. Pressure the pasta in a colander and place it straight into a big bowl with sufficient room for mixing.
Notice: We have to work rapidly for the following step because the pasta must be scorching.

7) Combine the eggs and cheese into the new pasta. The residual warmth will assist mix the eggs and cheese right into a shiny sauce coating the pasta.

8) As soon as the egg yolk and cheese combination is properly integrated with the pasta, switch the pasta to the serving plates or bowls.

9) Cowl the pasta with the hen liver sauce and serve instantly.

Storage and Leftovers
This hen liver pasta may be saved within the fridge for as much as 2 days when positioned in a sealed container. To benefit from the leftovers, merely reheat them in a skillet utilizing butter.
Extra Offal Recipes You Could Like
When you make this tagliatelle with hen liver recipe, I’d love to listen to the way it seems. Please write a remark right here on the weblog, electronic mail me or publish a touch upon the Pasta Venture Fb web page.
Your suggestions is absolutely appreciated!
Buon appetito!

Tagliatelle with hen liver
When you’re an offal lover, you are in for a deal with. This hen liver pasta recipe from Emilia-Romagna is completely scrumptious.
Components
- 14 oz Tagliatelle (400g)
- 7 oz Hen livers (200g)
- 1/2 White onion peeled and finely chopped
- 2 oz Butter (50g)
- 2 Egg yolks
- 1 Bay leaf
- 3-5 leaves Sage optionally available
- 1 ladle Hen broth
- 3 tbsp Milk
- 2 oz Parmigiano reggiano (50g) freshly grated
- 1 pinch Nutmeg freshly grated
Directions
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Clear and minimize the hen livers into items (be sure that to take away as a lot of the fats as attainable)
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Soften the butter in a frying pan add the onion and prepare dinner till translucent.
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Add the hen livers, bay leaves and sage.
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Cook dinner the liver till it begins to brown barely on either side (you don’t need it overcooked)
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Add the inventory and decrease the warmth.
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Simmer for an extra quarter-hour.
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Within the meantime, put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. When it begins to boil add salt and convey to the boil once more.
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Take away the bay leaf from the liver and add salt, pepper and nutmeg.
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Cook dinner for one more 5 minutes.
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Beat the egg yolks in a bowl with the Parmesan cheese and milk .
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Cook dinner the pasta al dente in accordance with the directions on the packet.
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Pressure the pasta in a colander and place it straight into a big bowl with sufficient room for mixing.
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Add the egg and cheese to the pasta and blend collectively properly to get a creamy consistency (this must be finished fairly quick, whereas the pasta continues to be scorching and instantly earlier than serving in any other case the pasta will get chilly rapidly!)
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Put the pasta onto the plates and canopy with the liver sauce.
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Serve instantly with a little bit extra grated parmesan and black pepper if required.
Notes
- I’ve added sage leaves to this recipe however the authentic doesn’t embody them. I simply love sage with liver!
- You may also use different flat ribbon pasta corresponding to pappardelle, though the standard pasta is tagliatelle.
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