– A Simple and Festive Christmas Starter –
Foie gras is a traditional French delicacy made from duck or goose liver.
Known for its rich flavor and smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture, it is often enjoyed as a starter on special occasions.
In our family, foie gras is a Christmas tradition.
We always serve it as the very first dish, before the main course.
Foie gras may sound like something you only order at a restaurant, and I used to think the same way. I had no idea how to eat it at home at first. But in fact, enjoying foie gras can be surprisingly simple.
Today, Iโd like to share how we enjoy foie gras at home, focusing on its natural flavor, just the way we like it.
๐ช Start by Slicing the Foie Gras
Take the foie gras out of the can or jar and slice it just before serving.
Rather than cutting thick slices, I find it best to slice it thin enough so it slowly melts in your mouth.
As shown in the opening photo, a wire slicer works beautifully, but a regular knife is perfectly fine, no special tools are required.
โจ First Bite: Nothing Added
For the first bite, try it plain. Take a moment to enjoy the smooth texture and rich flavor of the foie gras on its own.
After that, you can start adding salt or pepper little by little, according to your taste.
๐ง With Salt, Pepper, and Spices
At our table, we prepare a small selection of spices in advance, coarse salt, white pepper, and pink peppercorns.
Each person chooses what they like and seasons their foie gras at the table.
Our favorite is pink peppercorns.
They add a gentle kick and a fresh accent, which somehow makes the richness of foie gras feel lighter.
๐ Enjoying Foie Gras with Bread
Lightly toasted white bread is a classic pairing. The warmth of the bread softens the foie gras slightly, making it even more luscious.
This combination is our familyโs absolute favoriteโค๏ธ
๐ฏ Adding a Touch of Sweetness
Sometimes, we add just a small amount of fig jam or Sauternes confit that my mother-in-law in France sends us. A little sweetness brings a lovely contrast and offers a different way to enjoy foie gras.
These jams are not breakfast jams, they are made to pair with foie gras, meat dishes, or cheese. They are lighter in texture and less sweet than regular jams.
Iโve also seen similar jams in German supermarkets, where they are often used with pork dishes. My mother-in-law once sent us an onion confit as well, which paired beautifully with foie gras and was absolutely deliciousโค๏ธ
๐ท The Perfect Wine: Sauternes
For wine, I highly recommend Sauternes.
This sweet white wine comes from the southern part of the Bordeaux region in France and is known for its gentle sweetness, with notes of honey and ripe fruit.
Its sweetness wraps around the richness of foie gras perfectly. Itโs a classic pairing, and for good reason.
As a small aside, Sauternes also pairs wonderfully with salty blue cheeses such as Roquefort. In France, itโs often enjoyed with cheese as well. I personally love both combinations ๐
๐ At the Christmas Table
Foie gras is not something you eat in large quantities. Itโs meant to be enjoyed slowly, a little at a time.
But in our family, when foie gras appears on the table, the children light up and say, โYay!โ ๐ Itโs the dish everyone looks forward to, the very first plate of our Christmas meal.
For us, foie gras is truly the taste of a blissful momentโจ
