Terrine is a forcemeat loaf, which is prepared with a variety of ingredients. The dish belongs to the French cuisine, although it is popular in several countries across the world. It is usually made using a terrine earthenware, which is a deep dish. This serves as a vessel as well as a mold, which gives the forcemeat its shape. Once the dish is assembled in the terrine, it is placed in a baine marie and later cooked in an oven. A baine marie is often a tray with pre-heated water, which helps initiate the cooking process evenly and gently.
Ingredients and Preparation
The terrine can be prepared with a variety of ingredients, including chicken, duck, vegetables, and pork. Other ingredients can include eggs, bread crumbs, wine, and spices.
It is usually prepared in the following manner:
· Ground meat is blended with spices, eggs, and other ingredients.
· The mixture is stuffed evenly into the terrine and covered with a foil.
· It is then placed in a tray with pre-heated water and then baked in an oven.
· Once it is baked, it is then refrigerated for several hours to allow the flavors to enhance.
Serving
The terrine can be served as a starter or a light lunch. It is unmolded and sliced before serving. It is served cold or at room temperature. Chutneys, salads, and relish are the common accompaniments to the terrine.
Terrine Molds
The terrine, as mentioned earlier, serves as the mold for the dish. The terrine usually comes in oval or rectangular shape and comes with a lid. The shape of the terrine usually enables easy layering, even cooking, and proper slicing. If a terrine is not available, then loaf pan or cake mold can be used too.
Popular Terrine Recipes
Some of the popular terrine dishes include the foie gras terrine, duck terrine, potato tuna terrine, rabbit terrine, and chicken terrine. The foie gras terrine is prepared with the fattened liver of duck or geese. This dish is considered a gem in the French cuisine. The other terrine dishes are also prepared in a similar manner with the respective ingredients. While most of the terrine dishes are cooked, the berry terrine just needs refrigeration and does not require to be cooked.
Health Information
The nutrition of the dish depends upon the ingredients used. Meat, if used, is a major source of protein. The dish is even healthier if lean meat is used. Vegetables can be a good source of vitamins and minerals, which are required for the body to function well. However, certain types of meat are high in cholesterol and are not recommended for people with heart disease and diabetes. The eggs used to prepare the terrine can also augment the blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the terrine be reserved for special occasions and consumed in appropriate portions.
