Pate de foie gras is banned here to produce, due to animal welfare laws (it involves using a metal pipe to force-feed geese or ducks (akin to you eating several plates of pasta) until their livers turn to pate. Millions of birds are kept in cages so tiny, they cannot open their wings. Described as ‘barbaric’ by one Conservative minister, that has not stopped Boris Johnson (supported by his MP friend Jacob Rees-Mogg) delaying the promised Animals Abroad Bill, which would have banned the import and sale of this and other goods.
Former Bond actor Sir Roger Moore lived in Switzerland, and became a huge advocate for banning the sale of foie gras, before his death. He asked shoppers to not buy it from Fortnum & Mason stores, describing it as ‘torture in a tin’.
The Bill would have also banned the import or real fur – again some MPs have kicked up that it would stop ‘ceremonial hats’ like bear fur hats at Buckingham Palace. The Bill also would have banned the import of hunting trophies, and advertising of elephant rides overseas. Chris Packham has a petition asking the government to not go back on its pledge to ban these items, which they promised when Brexit was delivered.
There is often the charge at the French that we in England care about animal welfare more than them. But it’s telling to note that while some of our ‘top chefs’ are criticising the ‘nanny state’ for considering a ban, three French cities have already banned it, so they are more progressive than animal-batty Britain.
Foiegeddeaboutit (sold online at The Vegan Kind) is a truffle mushroom pate by gourmet vegan cheese artisans in London. Eat within 5 days of opening, and you can freeze it for up to 2 months. It’s made with black truffles and porcini mushrooms, and has a dep aromatic flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, topped with an extra dose of truffle oil. Ideal with bread, crackers and a glass of wine – or stir on top of risotto or pasta.
La Bonne Foi (France – translates to ‘the good faith’) is an authentic vegan foie gras from France. A ‘gourmet food’, this is an ideal alternative for foodies, this is sold by an online Belgian vegan fromagier, and delivered everywhere!
Made with organic ingredients, it’s a blend of cashew nuts, mushroom infusion, spices and black pepper essential oil that won a culinary award in France. Best served chilled, it’s sold in a glass jar. Made in France, the original recipe is by Marie-Sophie L (the geese salute you Marie, merci!) Free from liver or fat, this pate is cholesterol-free and designed to satisfy foie gras fans (and all gourmets) in search of new taste emotions.
Fois Green is a top range alternative, with the same texture and taste. It’s made from various ingredients including nuts, miso, port alcohol, nutritional yeast, dehydrated mushrooms and spices. It was created by a French chef with his son, after a serious heart problem had his doctor ban him from eating meat. After 6 months of tests, the product was launched to high acclaim.
Make Your Own Faux Gras
The Best Vegan Foie Gras (Full of Plants) is a homemade recipe. Thomas is one of the world’s most popular recipe bloggers, and he’s also French. Which means he grew up eating the real stuff, and took time to perfect this recipe, to ensure it looks, smells, tastes and spreads, just like the real thing. ‘Merci’ from the birds, Thomas! The BOSH Boys also have a plant-based version of faux gras.
Vegan Walnut Pate (Veggie Society) is the ultimate faux gras, made with omega-rich walnuts, spices and a little agar powder and tapioca to set. Use a powerful blender for the creamy smooth texture.
