This easy vegetarian pâté recipe has all the marks of the ultimate culinary wedding. When we talk about food, it’s always full of ‘marriages’ – how this ingredient marries perfectly with that ingredient; this dish is a wonderful marriage with that dish. Aged Port, spicy Stilton, spring onions, creamy butter – it’s a match made in heaven… a.k.a. your kitchen.

Brought to you by Cockburn’s Late Bottled Vintage Port

When Mrs Romance and I were travelling in the UK recently, we had lunch with my parents. To my surprise, my dad ordered the pâté. But then I remembered what a classic dish this is and how delicious a well-made pâté can be.

It’s not something my dad would ever have at home – mostly because it’s usually a pain to make. And if it’s a liver pâté you’re making, it’s a bit gross to make too.

But this easy vegetarian pâté recipe is not only delicious, it’s quick, simple, and not messy or gross at all. It’s the perfect marriage of Port, Stilton and spring onion, and the resulting dish has all the key flavours of a classic pâté.

For Father’s Day each year, we always have a family get-together where everyone brings something round. This vegetarian pâté is going to be an absolute winner this year.

And between Father’s Days, I think we’ll be adding this to our occasional platters too. The silky smooth texture and umami-rich decadence of a delicious pâté add that final touch.

Deliciously easy vegetarian pâté recipe

makes about 150ml of pâté

Here’s what you need

– 55g unsalted butter

– 1 spring onion – finely chopped

– 60ml Cockburn’s Late Bottled Vintage Port

– 125g vegetarian Stilton – crumbled

– Zest of ½ lemon

– 1 small bunch of parsley – finely chopped

– Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Here’s what you do

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan and sweat the spring onion until it’s soft.

2. Add Cockburn’s Port and simmer for 3 minutes.

3. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.

4. Transfer into food processor and blitz until everything is combined and liquid.

5. Pour into ramekins and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

Extra idea: try other strong blue cheeses. We tried it with Gorgonzola dolce and the pâté was delicious. The only thing to look out for is if the cheese you substitute is vegetarian or not. The Gorgonzola we used was not.

Take a step up this Father’s Day

This easy vegetarian pâté recipe will be such a hit with Dad, but there are a couple of things you can do that’ll make this a Father’s Day to remember for him.

First of all, don’t just give him the pâté, turn it into a platter he can feast on all day. Pick his favourite cheese and cut meats, and plate it all up for a surprise for him.

If you need help with platters, check out our post on how to create the perfect platter here.

Secondly, present him with the bottle of Port you’ve used for the pâté – or even better, buy 2 and keep the open one!

Why use Cockburn’s Late Bottled Vintage Port?

Cockburn’s (pronounced “co-burn’s”) is a family-run winery and has been since 1815, which makes this a most appropriate Port for Dad on Father’s Day.

Also, Late Bottled Vintage Port is a superb, easy-drinking Port with amazing balance, fruit flavours, jammy textures and a long, dry finish.

The flavour profile of this Port is why the pâté tastes so good. Late Bottled Vintage Ports must be made with wine from a single year of excellent growing and harvesting conditions. The Port is then kept in oak barrels for 4-6 years before it’s bottled.

The richness, the jamminess, the boldness of this Port holds up well against the saltiness of the cheese and the spiciness of the spring onion while also adding its own depth to the dish.

On its own, the Cockburn’s Late Bottled Vintage Port completes a dinner or lunch with finesse – and a bottle of this stuff will make Dad very happy indeed!

Shop it: $29.99 from Dan Murphy’s

How are you planning on spending this Father’s Day? Do you have a special dish you cook Dad for Father’s Dad? Tell us in the comments!