Sautéing:

The moment before sautéing, season the liver on both sides with a sprinkling of salt and pepper, and dredge in the flour, shaking off excess. Set the frying pan over high heat and film with 1/16 inch of clarified butter or butter and oil. When very hot, lay in the liver and sauté 1 minute on each side.

When is it done?:

It should be barely springy when pressed with your finger, and a deep pinky red when you cut into a piece. Serve as is, or try one of the suggestions that follow.

VARIATIONS

Calf's Liver and Bacon:

Cook 2 slices of bacon per person and keep warm on a plate lined with paper towels. Pout the bacon fat into a small bowl, wipe the pan clean, and spoon in clear bacon fat. Use that rather than butter for sauteeing, to give the liver a special flavor. Serve the bacon with the liver.

Sauteed Calf's Liver with Wine and Mustard Sauce:

For 4 Servings

1 tablespoon Dijon-typ prepared mustard

1/4 cup beef or chicken stock

1/4 cup dry white French Vermouth

Ingredients for Sauteed Calf's Liver:

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon minced shallot or scallion

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Whisk the mustard, stock, and vermouth in a small bowl.

Saute the liver and remove to hot plates or a hot platter.

Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, add the tablespoon of butter, and saute the shallot or scalion in the pan for a moment; blend in the mustard mixture and simmer a moment or two, until the sauce has thickened lightly.

Swirl in the parsely, spoon the sauce over the liver, and serve.