Delicious Side Dishes To Serve With Terrine Recipes

A terrine is a French dish of layered ground meats, organ meats, vegetables, and seasonings, packed tightly into the shape of a loaf and cooked in a water bath. It is typically served cold or at room temperature, often with bread, cornichons, and mustard.

Terrines can be served as a standalone appetiser, as part of a charcuterie board, or as a ploughman's lunch. They can also be served as a dessert, such as a frozen chocolate terrine or a mascarpone raspberry trifle terrine.

When it comes to drinks, a glass of wine is a popular pairing with terrine, but non-alcoholic beverages such as sparkling water or iced tea can also be served.

Serve as a stand-alone appetiser

Serving a terrine as a stand-alone appetiser is a great way to showcase your culinary creation. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you serve a terrine as an appetiser:

Preparation

Before serving, it is important to properly prepare your terrine. Firstly, ensure that your terrine is well-cooked and has cooled completely. For a neat presentation, wrap the terrine tightly in cling film before slicing it into half-inch-thick pieces. This will help prevent crumbling and ensure that your appetiser looks as appealing as possible.

Presentation

When serving a stand-alone appetiser, it is recommended to use appetizer-sized plates, such as small or large salad plates. You can decorate the plate with a sauce or a small amount of a light salad, keeping it simple and avoiding overly fussy garnishes.

Accompaniments

Sliced bread is a classic accompaniment to a terrine appetiser. You can put the bread directly on the plate or offer one or more bread baskets on the table for your guests to help themselves. Some popular bread options include baguette, sourdough, rye, and crusty white bread.

In addition to bread, you may want to offer some condiments to enhance the flavour of the terrine. Butter, Dijon mustard, and cornichons (small pickles) are traditional choices that pair well with the dish.

Terrine Varieties

When serving terrine as an appetiser, you can choose from a variety of options, including meat-based or vegetarian terrines. Popular meat options include pork, game (such as venison, rabbit, or boar), and poultry (like chicken or duck). For a vegetarian option, you can create a terrine with layered vegetables, combining stronger-flavoured vegetables with more delicate ones to ensure a well-balanced dish.

Drinks

To complete the stand-alone appetiser, you may want to offer your guests a drink to complement the terrine. A glass of wine, such as a dessert wine, pinot noir, or Beaujolais, is a popular choice to pair with a terrine. However, if you prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can offer sparkling water with lemon or lime, flavoured sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea.

Other Considerations

If you want to make your stand-alone appetiser more substantial, you can consider serving a charcuterie board alongside the terrine. This would include items such as sliced meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, and crackers or bread. Alternatively, you could create a ploughman's lunch, a traditional English meal that typically includes items like cheese, bread, apple, pickles, butter, and beer.

Create a charcuterie board

A charcuterie board is a great way to serve a terrine, especially if you want to create a spread with a variety of flavours and textures. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a charcuterie board:

Choose a board

Select a board, tray or platter that will be the foundation of your charcuterie board. Wood and marble are popular choices as they are sturdy and beautiful. The shape is up to you, but keep in mind that a rectangular board may accommodate long items like vegetable stems or cheese wedges better than a square one. The larger the board, the more it will cost to fill, so consider filling large boards with more produce or opting for a smaller one.

Add structure with dishes

Use small bowls and cups to create structure on the board and help contain loose items like dips, nuts and olives. You can raid your kitchen cabinets for small dishes or buy some if you prefer. They don't need to match!

Select your cheeses

As a rule of thumb, include three to five cheeses with different textures, like hard cheese, soft cheese and blue cheese. This will give your guests a range of options to sample. You can also include a spreadable cheese like Boursin Garlic Cheese.

Choose your meats

Include a few varieties of thinly sliced cured meats like prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, guanciale, pancetta, hard salami, and mortadella. You can lay them flat or arrange them in loose rolls. You can also add harder meats like smoked sausages that your guests can cut themselves.

Add crackers and bread

Include some starchy sidekicks like crackers, breadsticks or bread, especially if your board has soft, spreadable cheeses. You can offer two types of crackers or breads with different flavour profiles. If your guests have dietary restrictions, consider offering gluten-free options like nut-based crackers.

Include fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables add colour, freshness and a tasty contrast to rich, salty meats and cheeses. Choose items that can be eaten whole or cut into slices, and buy in-season produce for the best flavours and to save money.

Arrange your board

Start by placing the cheeses and meats on the board, allowing space for slicing and scooping. Then, add crackers, followed by fruits, vegetables and herbs. Fill in any gaps with more crackers or produce. Set out your charcuterie board with a few cheese knives so your guests can help themselves.

Additional tips

• Most charcuterie meats and cheeses are best served at room temperature.
• Perishable items shouldn't sit out for more than two hours.
• You can use any food-safe surface as a base for your charcuterie board, such as a cutting board, platter, cookie sheet or sheet of slate.
• If you're serving a large group, you may need multiple boards. You can also split the items into a meat board and a cheese board.
• If you want to include something sweet and crunchy like chocolate, contrast it with something creamy.
• You can include items like pickles, dips, mustard, honey, jams, olives, small crackers and more.

Bring the terrine dish to the table

Bringing the terrine dish to the table is a great way to serve this French delicacy, especially if you're serving a large group. It's a simple yet impressive dish that can be easily adapted to your liking and is perfect for a family-style meal. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you bring the terrine dish to the table:

Prepare the Table

Before bringing the terrine to the table, ensure you have everything you need. Set the table with plates, cutlery, and any side dishes or condiments that will complement your terrine. You may also want to place a basket of sliced bread and some butter on the table to accompany the terrine.

Prepare the Terrine

The beauty of a terrine is that it can be made in advance and served cold or at room temperature. This means you can take your time to prepare it beforehand and simply bring it out when you're ready to serve. If you've made your terrine in advance, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before serving.

Presentation

When bringing the terrine to the table, consider its presentation. You can leave it in its dish, adding a pâté knife so your guests can help themselves. This creates a rustic and inviting atmosphere. Alternatively, you can carefully remove the terrine from its dish and slice it into portions before arranging them on a platter or individual plates.

Accompanying Dishes

To elevate your terrine dish, consider serving it with a variety of cured meats, sausages, and cheeses on a charcuterie board. Popular cheese choices include blue cheese and goat cheese. You can also offer a selection of crusty breads, such as sourdough, rye, or baguettes, as these pair well with the terrine.

Beverage Pairings

A glass of wine can enhance the flavours of your terrine. Consider offering your guests a nice wine or non-alcoholic beverage to accompany their meal. Susy Atkins, a wine correspondent for The Telegraph, suggests pairing a dessert wine with a pork and chicken liver terrine or a pinot noir with a duck terrine.

Final Touches

Don't forget the little extras that will make your meal memorable. You can offer pickled vegetables, such as gherkins or caper berries, on the side. Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme sprigs can also be used to garnish the dish, adding a pop of colour and a burst of flavour.

Bringing the terrine dish to the table is a wonderful way to connect with your guests and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste and the occasion, whether it's a casual family meal or a formal dinner party. Enjoy the process of creating and sharing this delicious French delicacy!

Pair with wine or non-alcoholic drinks

Terrine is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of drinks, from wine to non-alcoholic beverages. Here are some ideas to enhance your dining experience:

Wine Pairings

If you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal, consider these options:

• A nice glass of wine, such as a dessert wine with a pork and chicken liver terrine or a pinot noir with a duck terrine, can complement your terrine.
• Dry and oaked Chardonnay, dry Sauvignon Blanc, or Amarone (dry red wine) are suggested pairings for a game terrine.
• Beaujolais is recommended as the best wine to pair with charcuterie, pâté, and terrine. Opt for a mid-range bottle for optimal flavour.
• For a rich terrine, such as terrine de fois gras, choose a "rich, silky" wine like Sauternes or Barsac to match the dish's personality.

Non-Alcoholic Beverage Options

For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks or are participating in Dry January, there are also some great choices:

• Sparkling water with a slice of lemon or lime is a simple and refreshing option.
• Flavoured and unsweetened sparkling water, such as La Croix or Bubly, offer a variety of tastes without the added sugar.
• Unsweetened iced tea, whether caffeinated or herbal, is a good choice if you want something more flavourful without the sweetness.
• If you have a sweet tooth, you could also opt for sugary drinks like juice or pop, but these are generally less healthy options.
• For something more elaborate, explore the world of mocktails! From a zesty Apple, Elderflower, and Mint Sparkle to a Party Time Hot Cocoa rimmed with sprinkles and chocolate, there are countless non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to discover and enjoy.

Serve as a dessert

Terrines can be served as a dessert, and there are several recipes to choose from. Here are some ideas:

Summer Berry Terrine

This refreshing and colourful dish is perfect for a dinner party.

Crunchy Raspberry Ripple Terrine

This decadent dinner party pudding or family afternoon treat.

Iced Nougat and Raspberry Terrine

This dessert is a posh pud that is much easier to prepare than it looks and can be made ahead of time.

Coffee Ice Cream Terrine

This is a twist on a favourite childhood ice cream dessert with coffee and chocolate layers. It is made with just five ingredients and is a great make-ahead pud.

Cherry Chocolate Terrine

This dessert is perfect for a wedding.

Iced Choca-Mocha Terrine

This striking dessert is based on a classic tiramisu, but uses chocolate mini rolls as sponges and is set in an ice cream loaf to be served in slices.

White and Dark Chocolate Terrine

This is James's take on a classic chocolate marquise with a silky-smooth layer of white chocolate sandwiched in the middle.

Frozen Chocolate Terrine

This dessert looks a little persnickety, but it's a great option if you have baking experience.

Frozen Peanut Butter and Chocolate Terrine

This dessert is super easy to make: simply crush some cookies, layer with other ingredients, and freeze.

Mascarpone Raspberry Trifle Terrine

This dessert is rated as easy to make and sure does look pretty.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Terrine

This dessert contains booze (Creme De Menthe) and the green ice cream and chocolate chips might bring back pleasant childhood memories.

Frequently asked questions