Venison Liver Pâté - The Accidental Smallholder

1. Clean the fine membrane from the liver by slicing just below the surface with a sharp knife and using your fingers to peel it away. Cut out any tough bits of liver.

2. Mince the liver, pork belly and onion - if you prefer a coarser textured pâté (which we think works best for venison) use the coarsest plate on your mincer, otherwise use a medium plate.

3. Add all the remaining ingredients, mixing thoroughly but not too vigourously.

4. Stretch the bacon rashers on the back of a knife and use it to line two 1 litre overproof dishes. If you're not lining the dishes with bacon, grease with a little butter.

   Tip: We use bread tins when making this for ourselves, or nice ½ litre ceramic dishes for gifts.

5. Divide the mixture between the dishes, fold over or trim any bacon that's sticking out, and cover tightly with greased foil.

6. Cook in a bain marie for 1½ hours at 170°C / Gas Mark 3. It's cooked when it comes away from the side of the dish and is firm to the touch.

7. Allow to cool thoroughly, then refrigerate in the dish. Ideally leave it in the fridge for at least 2 days before eating - the flavour improves no end.

Serve on hot buttered toast with some rocket and fruity chutney.

This freezes really well - once it's cool turn it out and slice into portions. Wrap in cling film and eat within 3 months.