Mortadella Smear

My wife and I were walking down Michigan Avenue in Chicago when we stumbled across the Purple Pig. The setup is very homey, with an incredible wine list and delicious housemade charcuterie. The mortadella smear, one of several "smears" on the menu, was easily among the best things I've ever eaten. It's a porky, garlicky puree of cured Italian sausage, very smooth and silky. It's sprinkled with crushed pistachios and served with grilled country bread and all kinds of amazing pickles. I just wish I'd thought of it myself. —Jonathan Gushue, Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Ontario