TRUFFLED CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place the chicken livers and milk in a medium bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Drain the livers and discard the milk.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a medium (10-inch) skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned. Add the chicken livers and thyme and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning with tongs to cook evenly, until they're lightly browned on the outside but still raw inside. Add the Cognac, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper and continue to cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the livers are cooked but still very pink inside. (If they're overcooked, the pate will be dry.) Pour the contents of the pan into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
• Pulse the processor until the chicken livers are almost smooth. Dice the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and add to the bowl. Add the truffle butter and process until smooth. Add the parsley and pulse just to incorporate.
• Pour the mousse into one large or four small (8-ounce) ramekins. Pour a thin layer of melted duck fat or clarified butter on each mousse and place whole parsley sprigs on top. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving with crackers or warm toasts.