Jean Brunet Pork Pâté with Red Peppers & Olives

Country pâtés—otherwise known as pâtés de campagne—are traditionally made with different parts of pork as well as the liver, and are enhanced with herbs and spices available in the surrounding area. The peppers and olives take the meaning of countryside across borders and celebrate Spanish influences from the other side of the Pyrenees. This makes for a heartier blend than most pâtés, suitable for a light lunch as well as an afternoon picnic.

While pâtés are traditional picnic food or luncheon food, the ample fatty flavor of this pork variant makes it suitable for even the more eclectic pairings. Asian fusion lovers will find it takes the simple Vietnamese bánh mì sandwich to an entirely new gourmet level. Finish off the meal with a lovely Chablis—great with any pork dish!—or a young Bordeaux. Gin lovers, you’re in for a treat. The fresh botanical taste of the junipers and lemons in our Griffo Scott Street Gin also pair beautifully with a pâté-laden meal. Gin fizz or gimlet, anyone?

Almost all things French or generally European have layers and levels to them that leave the rest of the world somewhat at a loss. The softer side of charcuterie is no exception. A pâté is formally considered a very fine-textured dish made from liver, while a terrine is made from the chunkier cuts of meat. However, a pâté can also be a terrine—if it is made in the baking dish of that name! Nowadays, as charcuterie specialists experiment with more and more combinations and flavors, the terms pâté and terrine are used interchangeably.

Store unopened containers of pâté in a cool, dry panty. Once opened, pâté will keep three to four days in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to two months, though we recommend you consume it as soon as possible!