The appetizer, Regional
Rillettes du Mans on grilled bread
Rillettes du Mans on grilled bread is a French appetizer for 6 people, made with rillettes, country bread, and pickles. Active work takes 15 minutes, and everything comes together right before guests arrive, at an easy difficulty and a cost of €1.30 per person. Success depends on the temperature of the rillettes and the crunch of the toasted bread.
A good pot of rillettes du Mans, soft and rich, with grilled country bread and crunchy pickles, you really can't get simpler or more generous than that.
- For
- 6 people
- Work
- 15 min
- Total time
- 45 min
- Prep
- Finished at the last minute
- Difficulty
- Very easy
- Cost per person
- €1.30
- Calories per person
- 280 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Rillettes du Mans have that soft, rich texture that needs nothing more than good toasted bread and crunchy pickles to shine. This is a straightforward, regional French appetizer that relies entirely on the quality of the product and a generous hand when serving.
It's the appetizer you pull out for a dinner with friends in fall or winter, when you want something honest on the table without spending time in the kitchen. It pairs naturally with a menu that continues with braised dishes or meat in sauce.
The schedule
What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
- The day before Nothing to do
- The same day Nothing to do
- Before the guests arrive 3 steps, 35 min
- When it's time to serve 1 step
Everything happens right before guests arrive, there's nothing to do the day before or in the morning. Take the rillettes out of the fridge half an hour ahead, slice and toast the bread while they warm up, then plate everything at serving time in a jar surrounded by toasted bread and pickles.
The ingredients
Butcher
- Rillettes du Mans 400 g
Bakery
- Country bread 1
Pantry
- Pickles 200 g
Allergens Gluten
The recipe, moment by moment
Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.
-
Take the rillettes out of the refrigerator half an hour before serving. 30 min
They taste far more of themselves at room temperature than straight from the fridge.
-
Cut the country bread into thin slices.
A slice about half a centimeter thick is ideal, sturdy enough to hold the rillettes.
-
Toast the slices in the oven or in a toaster until golden. 5 min
Toast both sides for a crunch that actually lasts.
When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.
-
Spoon the rillettes into a jar or ramekin, and surround with the toasted bread and pickles.
Leave a butter knife in the jar so everyone can help themselves.
Our tips to get it right
- Pick rillettes sold in a glass jar rather than a plastic tub, they're often softer and less greasy on the surface.
- Keep the toasted bread wrapped in a kitchen towel while you plate, it loses its crunch fast once exposed to air.
- Set out two jars if you're serving more than 8 people, rillettes du Mans disappear quickly once the evening gets going.
The variations
- Swap the rillettes du Mans for duck rillettes for a stronger flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, serve a mushroom or lentil based spread instead of the rillettes.
- For kids, cut the bread into small toasts and skip the pickles, which can taste too sharp for younger palates.
What to serve it with
- A glass of dry white Loire wine
- Pickles and small pickled onions
- A country style pâté on the side
Storage
The rillettes keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in their sealed jar. They don't freeze well once opened. The toasted bread doesn't keep, make it right before serving.
Questions about this recipe
Can I use a different bread instead of country bread?
Yes, rye bread or a slightly stale baguette work well. What matters is a dense enough crumb to hold the rillettes without getting soggy.
How do you recognize good rillettes du Mans?
They should be soft and shreddy, never compact or overly greasy on top. A glass jar with a thin layer of clear fat on top is usually a good sign.
Can this be served for more than 6 people?
Yes, just double the quantities and set out two separate jars rather than one large one. This keeps the rillettes from drying out at the edges later in the evening.
Should the rillettes be spread ahead of time?
No, let everyone help themselves with a butter knife left in the jar. The toasted bread stays crunchy longer if the rillettes are only added right before eating.
Can rillettes du Mans on grilled bread be made ahead?
Partly, the finish happens at the last moment. The recipe needs 15 min of work in total, split up like this, before the guests arrive, 3 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.
How long does it take to make rillettes du Mans on grilled bread?
Allow 45 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 15 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".
How many calories are in rillettes du Mans on grilled bread?
About 280 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does rillettes du Mans on grilled bread cost?
About €1.30 per person, that's €7.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.
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