The Art Of Serving Terrine: A Step-By-Step Guide

A terrine is a French dish that is often served as an appetizer or starter. It can be made with meat, fish, or vegetables and is cooked in a water bath in a deep rectangular or oval container, also known as a terrine. The dish can be served in thick slices on a charcuterie board with cured meats, sausages, cheeses, and bread, or as a simple meal with hot toast, butter, and pickled vegetables. It is typically served cold or at room temperature and can be paired with a glass of wine.

Serving a terrine as a standalone appetiser

Preparation

Before serving, it is important to ensure your terrine is well-prepared and cooled. If making a vegetable terrine, consider roasting or char-grilling the vegetables first to impart a smokey flavour. When slicing the terrine, use a sharp knife to get clean cuts. Terrine slices are typically around half an inch thick. You can also wrap the terrine tightly in cling film before slicing to prevent crumbling and ensure neat plating.

Presentation

For a standalone appetiser, serve the terrine slices on appetizer-sized plates. You can add decorative elements such as a sauce or a small light salad to accompany the terrine. Some simple salad options include a sliced radish and apple salad, inside-out veggie dip, or easy Caprese salad skewers with balsamic glaze. Remember to avoid dressings that may clash with the flavours of your terrine.

Accompaniments

Sliced bread is a classic accompaniment to a terrine appetiser. You can put the bread directly on the plate or provide bread baskets on the table. Crusty breads such as sourdough, rye, or baguettes pair particularly well with terrine. You can also offer butter, pickles, and condiments like mustard or chutney on the side.

Beverage Pairings

A glass of wine can enhance the enjoyment of your terrine appetiser. Recommended wine pairings include dessert wine with pork and chicken liver terrine, pinot noir with duck terrine, or Beaujolais with pâté. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, sparkling water with lemon or lime, flavoured sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea are good choices.

Creating a charcuterie board

A charcuterie board is a great way to impress your guests at your next party. It's a fun project for those who like to browse the grocery store or check out new markets. The best part about charcuterie boards is that they're totally customisable! You can switch up the components based on the occasion, the season, or simply what your guests will like best. Here are some tips for creating a charcuterie board with a terrine:

Choose your board:

You don't need a fancy board to make a gorgeous spread. Any clean, rimmed kitchen counter, cutting board, rimmed baking sheet, or serving platter will work. If you want to get creative, try a round lazy Susan-type board or a board with handles. The size of your board will depend on the number of guests you're serving. For a smaller party (4-6 people), a standard cutting board (usually around 12x18 inches) should be sufficient. For 8-10 people, a larger board (16x24 inches or 18x32 inches) would be ideal.

Select your ingredients:

A charcuterie board typically includes a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, crackers, condiments, and other accompaniments. When selecting your ingredients, aim for a variety of textures, flavours, and colours. Here are some specific suggestions:

• Meats: Terrine (of course!), salami, prosciutto, ham, serrano, Spanish chorizo, pepperoni, summer sausage, baked ham, hard salami.
• Cheeses: Brie, camembert, goat cheese, blue cheese, cheddar, gouda, Gruyère, Manchego, Parmesan, smoked gouda, cream cheese.
• Fruits and Vegetables: Grapes, apples, pears, stone fruits, berries, tomatoes, radishes, edible flowers, carrots, celery, bell peppers.
• Breads and Crunchy Things: Crackers, sliced bread, crostini, pita chips, nuts, corn nuts, pretzel chips, parmesan crisps, breadsticks, baguette.
• Condiments and Spreads: Honey, mustard, fig jam, pepper jelly, sweet or savory chutneys, tapenades, hummus.
• Briny Things: Olives, cornichons, caper berries, marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, pickles.

Arrange your board:

Now comes the fun part—assembling your charcuterie board! Here are some tips for arranging your ingredients:

• Place the largest pieces, such as wheels of cheese or small bowls of condiments, first. Space them evenly around the board.
• Arrange the sliced cheeses and meats in the spaces between the anchors, alternating colours and shapes.
• Keep "like" items grouped together to make it easy for your guests to find what they're looking for.
• Add touches of freshness with small bunches of grapes, sliced apples, berries, or sprigs of fresh herbs.
• Fill any remaining spaces with crackers, breadsticks, or other crunchy elements. If you don't have enough room on the board, serve them in separate bowls or baskets on the side.
• Don't forget the serving tools! Provide forks, spoons, cheese knives, and/or toothpicks so your guests can easily grab the items they want.

And that's it! You've now created a beautiful and delicious charcuterie board with a terrine that your guests will surely enjoy.

Serving a terrine family-style

Preparing the Terrine

Before serving, it's important to prepare the terrine properly. Terrines are typically served cold or at room temperature, so make sure to allow enough time for it to cool completely. If you want to enhance the presentation, you can wrap the terrine tightly in cling film before slicing to prevent crumbling and ensure neat slices.

Presentation and Accompaniments

When serving family-style, bring the entire terrine dish to the table, along with a pâté knife and some bread. This way, everyone can help themselves. It's a good idea to have a basket of sliced bread and some butter on the table to accompany the terrine. You can also offer a variety of cured meats, sausages, cheeses, and pickled vegetables, such as gherkins or caper berries, to complement the dish.

Wine and Non-Alcoholic Pairings

To elevate the dining experience, consider pairing the terrine with a nice wine or non-alcoholic beverage. A dessert wine or pinot noir can complement the flavours of the terrine. For non-alcoholic options, you can offer sparkling water with lemon or lime, flavoured sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea.

Leftovers and Storage

If you have any leftovers, properly stored terrine can last in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze slices by wrapping them in plastic wrap and foil or using a vacuum sealer. Frozen terrine will stay fresh for 3-4 months.

Final Thoughts

Pairing a terrine with wine or non-alcoholic drinks

When it comes to pairing a terrine with wine or non-alcoholic drinks, there are a few options to consider.

Wine Pairings

Susy Atkins, a wine correspondent for The Telegraph, recommends "ripe and rounded" drinks, including off-dry and mellow cider. She suggests serving a dessert wine with a pork and chicken liver terrine and a pinot noir with duck terrine. For a game terrine, a dry and oaked Chardonnay, a dry Sauvignon Blanc, or Amarone (a dry red wine) are good choices. Beaujolais is also an excellent option for pairing with charcuterie and pâté. If you're serving a particularly rich terrine, such as terrine de fois gras, Wine Enthusiast suggests pairing it with "rich, silky" wines like Sauternes or Barsac.

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Pairings

For non-alcoholic options, there are no set rules, but some simple choices include sparkling water with lemon or lime, flavoured and unsweetened sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea. If you're looking for something more elaborate, you can explore the wide range of mocktail recipes available online.

General Beverage Tips

When serving a terrine, it's important to consider the flavours and ingredients used in the dish. For example, a terrine made with liver may benefit from a pairing that helps to balance its strong flavour. Similarly, consider the temperature at which the terrine is served, as chilled dishes may call for different beverage choices than those served at room temperature or warm.

Making a vegetarian or vegan terrine

Vegetarian and vegan terrines are a great way to showcase vegetables and plant-based ingredients. They are multi-layered vegetable dishes, sliced and served cold. You can serve them as part of a charcuterie board or ploughman's lunch, or as a stand-alone appetizer.

Choosing your vegetables

Select a variety of vegetables with distinct flavours and colours. Some popular options include eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, squash, carrots, and tomatoes. You can also include roasted or char-grilled vegetables to add a smoky flavour and extra texture.

Preparing the vegetables

You can cook the vegetables in several ways, such as boiling, roasting, or frying. Boiling them until they are softened and easily sliceable is a common method. You can also roast or broil the vegetables to add a charred flavour and texture. Another option is to fry them in a pan with a little oil until lightly browned.

Constructing the terrine

Line a loaf pan or terrine mould with plastic wrap, allowing some excess to hang over the sides. Start by arranging the vegetables in layers, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper, and brushing with oil or vinegar if desired. You can also add a layer of tomato sauce or pesto between the vegetable layers for extra flavour. Continue layering until the pan is filled, then wrap the plastic wrap tightly around the top.

Weighting and chilling

Place a small, evenly distributed weight on top of the terrine to gently press the layers together. You can use a rectangular plate with a couple of cans on top, for example. Chill the terrine in the refrigerator for at least eight hours or overnight until it is firm.

Serving the terrine

To serve, gently loosen the edges of the terrine with a small knife and invert it onto a platter. Remove the plastic wrap and cut the terrine into slices. Serve it chilled, accompanied by crusty bread, butter, pickles, chutney, or a light salad.

Vegan options

For a vegan terrine, simply omit any dairy products. You can replace dairy cheese with vegan cheese alternatives or focus on other ingredients such as nuts, seeds, or plant-based proteins.

Presentation ideas

Terrines can be served as elegant appetizers or starters. For a simple presentation, arrange the sliced terrine on appetizer-sized plates with decorative elements such as a sauce or a small salad. You can also serve the terrine family-style by bringing the dish to the table with a pâté knife and some bread, allowing guests to help themselves.

Frequently asked questions