Chopped liver facts for kids
Chopped liver with egg
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| Alternative names | Gehakte leber |
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| Course | Hors d'oeuvre |
| Associated national cuisine | Ashkenazi Jewish |
| Main ingredients | Liver, onions, schmaltz |
Chopped liver is a tasty spread made from liver. It's a very popular dish in Ashkenazi Jewish cooking. You can often find this dish in kosher Jewish delis in places like Britain, Canada, South Africa, and the United States. Its name in Yiddish, a Jewish language, is gehakte leber, which means "chopped liver."
Contents
How to Make and Serve Chopped Liver
Making chopped liver usually involves cooking liver and onions. These ingredients are often sautéed (cooked quickly in a little fat) or broiled (cooked under direct heat). After cooking, hard-boiled eggs, salt, and pepper are added. Then, the whole mixture is ground up.
What Kinds of Liver Are Used?
The liver used can come from different animals. People often use veal, beef, or chicken liver.
The Special Fat Called Schmaltz
A very important ingredient for making chopped liver is schmaltz. This is a special type of fat, usually made from chicken or goose fat. However, different chefs might use slightly different recipes and ingredients.
How to Enjoy Chopped Liver
Chopped liver is often served on matzah, which is a flat, unleavened bread. It's also popular as a sandwich filling, especially with rye bread. It makes a great appetizer or snack!
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Chopped liver
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A chopped liver meal on bagels with sour cream herring and onions
Different Kinds of Chopped Liver
Chopped liver is full of protein, which is good for your body. However, it can also be high in fat and cholesterol. Because of this, there are other versions available.
Healthier and Vegetarian Options
You can find low-fat versions of chopped liver. There are also "mock" or vegetarian alternatives. These are often made from vegetables like peas, string beans, eggplant, or mushrooms. They give you a similar taste and texture without using liver.
"What Am I, Chopped Liver?"
Sometimes, eating chopped liver isn't everyone's favorite thing. This led to a funny saying in Jewish English: "What am I, chopped liver?"
Meaning of the Expression
This phrase is used when someone feels ignored or left out in a social situation. It shows frustration or anger at not being noticed.
Why This Saying?
The saying comes from the fact that chopped liver was traditionally served as a side dish, not the main meal. So, if you feel like "chopped liver," it means you feel like you're just a small, unimportant part of something.
Similar Dishes to Chopped Liver
There are other dishes around the world that are similar to chopped liver. They often involve liver or other ingredients ground into a spread.
See also
In Spanish: Hígado picado para niños
