Pate is any ground meat that is cooked in a mold, but it is not specific to Foie Gras. Foie Gras is the fatty liver of waterfowl that is usually cooked as Pate.
In other words, Pate is a broader term that can cover a lot of different types of dishes. It is important to understand that Pate is meant to be used as a general term, and it can get confusing for people when you try to apply it to the Foie Gras that you are preparing.
These two terms are often confused for one another or used interchangeably. The truth is that while they are somewhat similar in how they are prepared, these two dishes are different things entirely.
When you do something like that, you are bound to confuse some people who assume that you are actually creating a broader dish rather than the Foie Gras that you are making.
You don’t want people to walk away from your table uncertain of what they have just eaten. You also do not want people to think that you are cooking something that is more common and more general than what it really is. You should try to specify to them that you are making Foie Gras if that is what you intend to make.
What Is Foie Gras?
If you guessed that this is a French word, you are correct. It is a French term that means “fatty liver”. It is something that people like to eat because it is a delicious dish that you simply don’t find just anywhere. You have to really look for specific restaurants that offer this kind of dish if it is something that you actually want to enjoy.
Foie Gras is the fatty liver of waterfowl. Those birds fatten themselves up before migration season. They need to do so in order to store enough energy to make the long-distance journey that they are about to make. These days, farmers take advantage of the fact that certain birds are accustomed to eating in this way to intentionally fatten up their own flock in order to eventually serve them as this fatty liver dish that people love so much.
The birds are naturally inclined to eat a lot anyway because it has been bred into their genetics, and thus, they will continue to eat large portions as they have done for centuries. The farmers are just taking advantage of this fact so that they can get the birds to do what they need to do before they are served.
Different Qualities Of Foie Gras
Not all Foie Gras is created equal. This is a very specialized dish, and that means that there are different grades given to this dish based on its quality and its preparation.
Dartagnan.com explains what a Grade A Foie Gras looks like:
Livers are graded for quality; “A” livers are the top grade, and largest, firm to the touch, smooth in texture, with consistent color, and no blemishes (like blood spots). Top-quality livers will be shiny and smell sweet. Chefs will use Grade “A” foie gras for simple preparations like searing and sautéing, or for a classic terrine, where the whole liver is cooked in a porcelain terrine in a water bath, then chilled and served cold, in slices.
They go on to explain that a Grade B and a Grade C Foie Gras are a little smaller in size, and maybe a bit softer, fatter, and/or paler in color. It is important to understand that these are factors that can play into what someone at a restaurant is served.
Pate Can Also Be A Vegetable Dish
One highly important thing to remember when talking about Pate versus Foie Gras is that Pate can also be a vegetarian dish (or fish, beef, chicken, or really any meat). Trout pate is excellent. Some people simply serve it with vegetables rather than meat. This means that if you are making Foie Gras but referring to it as Pate, then some people may get confused about what it is that you are actually making.
You could serve meat to someone who does not want to eat meat, and that can certainly cause problems. You should always try to avoid scenarios like that of course, and that is why you want to be sure you refer to your dishes by their correct terms. If you are uncertain about what the correct term for something is, don’t be afraid to say so. It is better to admit that you have a question about something than to pretend that you do not.
Enjoy Foie Gras Often
People should try new things at the dinner table more often. Getting people to try Foie Gras may be a challenge at first. There are some who just aren’t that adventurous when it comes to their food selections. However, you may be able to introduce them to some new ideas and concepts when you bring a dish like this to the table.
At the very least, they will have an experience that they haven’t been able to enjoy before. It is something that they may tell others about, and that can get the ball rolling for everyone to start to enjoy a variety of new dishes that they never imagined they would try before.
Foie Gras and Pate are both excellent options, but you need to understand that they are different from one another. Try to avoid using the terms interchangeably when possible to avoid confusion among your guests.