During the recent cold snap there was a run on bottled water and non perishable goods. Don’t wait for an apocalypse or the next cold snap to stock up on fine quality tinned goods.
Everyone needs tins of pâté in their cupboard along with jars of olives, tinned tomatoes (San Marzano variety are best) and of course tinned fish in olive oil – tuna in brine or spring water may have less calories but misses the point of tinned food.
Ortiz Tuna is not just useful it is an essential store cupboard ingredient, so far ahead of the average supermarket brand it could be from another planet. Ortiz is imported by Sheridans Cheesemongers and found in many good delis such as Nolans in Terenure.
Also pick up some Prir Piri sauce (or ground Piri Piri Chilli Peppers if you can find it) – also from good delis.
Piri Piri is the essential Portuguese condiment for quality tinned fish as found in these typical Portuguese Pâtés. Don’t forget to serve some Portuguese wine – Touriga Nacional for preference.
Tuna Pâté
1 x 112g Tin of Ortiz Tuna in olive oil, 100g Butter, 2 Anchovies (also in olive oil), Squeeze of Lemon Juice, Splash of Piri Piri Sauce.
Drain the tuna and add to a food processor along with the other ingredients. Blend for 30 seconds and scrape the sides of the bowl. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more Piri Piri or lemon juice and blend again.
Sardine Pâté
1 x 120g Tin of top quality Sardines in Olive oil, 100g Butter, Squeeze of Lemon Juice, 2 Anchovies, 2 tsp Tomato Purée, Splash of Piri Piri Sauce.
Blend the drained sardines with the other ingredients as for the Tuna recipe above.
Serve these Pâtés with crusty bread and an extra dash of Piri Piri Sauce.
