There are two types of people in the world; those who eat chicken livers and those who don't. I fall in to the latter category and avoid anything offal-ish by a mile.
As a child my mum used to make us Sawdeh (chicken livers) and I remember mildly enjoying the taste but as I grew up the idea didn't sit well with me at all.
However recently, following the birth of my second son which caused me a few complications and my iron levels to drop, I have been forced to eat chicken livers again by my mum and husband, despite my lengthy protests.
I then rediscovered why people eat this for breakfast and concluded 'it wasn't so bad'.
Livers
Supposedly chicken or lamb livers are very good for you and have lots of iron and Vitamin B12.
They are also a rich store of folates which are important for pregnant women or those who have just given birth.
My mum said that in Lebanon it is customary to get chicken or lamb livers for new mothers and cook it with lots of garlic which also helps the milk supply.
Basically it's really good for you especially if you need a health boost.
Find yourself a good butcher who will clean it for you so you don't have to make a mess. Don't be shy to ask them to take off any bits you don't like as that is what they are there for and it's all part of the service.
You can buy it in the supermarket too but you should always try and source a good butcher for these things so you can be sure how fresh it is.
Ideally you want it the same day or one day old as it will taste better.
Pomegranate Molasses
Hopefully you live in good range of a Middle Eastern store. There are different types of pomegranate molasses and I prefer the sharper ones to the sweeter varieties. Try a few until you fine THE ONE.
You can also get pomegranate molasses in some fancy supermarkets these days under speciality ingredients section. Though usually they are far more expensive and sometimes a bit old as no one buys them.
Alternatively you could ask your Lebanese friend to smuggle you back some high quality pomegranate molasses from the motherland.
Make sure they tape it up with lots of packaging as it will stain all of your clothes should it unfortunately spill (i'm talking from experience here haha).
Top tips
Make sure you don't burn the garlic. If you do it will ruin the whole taste and you will be thinking why isn't this delicious. For that reason we gently fry the garlic just so it sizzles a bit and before the colour turns so no longer than 2 minutes.
THEN when set aside the garlic we turn up the heat as you want to flash fry the chicken livers. If the heat is low then they will boil and that won't taste great either.
If the chicken livers produce alot of liquid drain them half way through frying and this will reduce boiled taste even more.
Did I mention I can't stand boiled meat taste it's the worst.
Serving suggestions
When I have to eat it I do so with with lots and lots of lemon and extra pomegranate molasses to dip in. A sprinkle of pomegranate seeds also makes it more palatable.
Apparently people in Lebanon go crazy over it and it's really expensive, whereas here in London it's really cheap compared to other cuts of meat.
This recipe was actually cooked by my husband (sawdeh expert) and though I will never be one of those people who love and crave it, this is by far the best recipe you will find on it so if you're a chicken liver lover rejoice!...and if you can't stand it then maybe perhaps you might be converted some day.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Livers in Pomegranate Molasses (Sawdet Djaj b Rub Ruman)
Subtly spiced livers with garlic, lemon and pomegranate molasses
Ingredients
- Approx 300g of cleaned chicken livers
- 2-3 garlic cloves roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoon of regular olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon of pomegranate molasses
- 1 lemon juiced
- pinch of sumac optional
- pinch of 7-spice
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Clean the chicken livers for any extra grit, and cut into small bitesize pieces
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Add the roughly chopped garlic to a pan with regular olive oil and gently heat until very slightly golden - DO NOT BURN. Then remove and set aside
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Turn up the heat and add another drizzle of regular olive oil. Add the chicken livers and fry off for about five minutes. Drain any excess liquid in the sink
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Lower the heat, then add a good sprinkle of salt, sumac, 7 spice and black pepper and cook for another few minutes. Drizzle a little oil if dry
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Re-add the garlic and add a good drizzle of pomegranate molasses, fry for another 2 minutes
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Finally add the lemon juice, a minute before turning off the heat. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary
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Serve with a side of lemon and more pomegranate molasses in a dipping plate. Garnish with optional pomegranate seeds
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Serve with fresh bread, pickles, radishes and herbs
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
This recipe can also be used for lamb livers.
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You might also like these other recipe from the Zaatar and Zaytoun collection:
Anonymous
👍
Gabriela
Awesome recipe, it's my new favourite way of eating chicken liver. Thank you!
Zaatar
You are most welcome! xx
Betina
Can this recipe be applied to beef liver too?
Zaatar
Yes of course!
Fernando
I didn't know you could do livers this way
Tamara
Delicious
Anonymous
Delicious turned out like restaurant style.
Tootsie
Delicious turned out like restaurant style.
Patricia
Made this today and it was delish... I actually added some ginger and chilli flakes to give this recipe a bit of a hit... so simple to stuff in a pita wrap with salt... thanks for sharing the recipe
SJam
On vacation, we had some chicken livers at a Lebanese restaurant and I've been searching for the recipe since. This isn't that recipe, but oh my gosh, I believe this is better! Served with a shepherd's salad and flat bread, it was a fabulous light supper. I seriously adore this.
Tawnya
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
Sas
This was a really nice way to prepare liver. I added a little turmeric and cinnamon while the livers were frying but apart from that made it as written. Next time I might also add some onion, as liver and onion goes so well together, and I think it would definitely work with this recipe. I served it over rice.
Anonymous
Delicious
Jamal
I never used to love this until I tried it this way
Anne
So delicious and complex - will definitely make again.