Monday, March 30, 2009

Tourtiere or French Canadian Pork Pie

The other day T. and I were running errands and talking about food and things that I haven’t made in a while. He mentioned Pork Pie. This has to be one of our favorite meals. Funny though, it’s been well over a year since i have made it. Don’t you hate when that happens???

This is one of those incredibly fast and simple meals that really comes together in no time at all.

I usually make my own pie crust but this time I was kind of tired so I used store bought. Should have made my own…it was just a little too sweet to go with the savory pie. Lesson learned!

Tourtiere (This recipe is from - Janet is Hungry)

Double 9" Pie Crust:
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup vegetable shortening and butter mixed
5-6 Tbsp cold water

Meat Filling:
1 1/2 lbs ground pork
1 onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup celery, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground summer savory
1/3 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup water
1 small potato, boiled and mashed
1 egg yolk
1 Tbsp milk

Directions:

1. Prepare pastry: Cut cold shortening into cubes. Place butter/shortening in food processor with flour and salt. Pulse a few times.
2. Dump flour mixture out into a bowl and start adding water a tbsp at a time until mixture forms a dough that will hold together. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
3. Make filling: In a non-stick skillet with a cover, cook pork, breaking up the larger chunks.
4. Add onion, celery, garlic and cook until the onions are tender.
5. Add salt, savory, pepper, allspice, bay leaf and water. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lid and simmer 5 more minutes until most of the water is gone (it should still be quite moist).
6. Add mashed potato and remove bay leaf.
7. Roll out pastry (TIP: I roll my pastry out between two sheets of plastic wrap, when it is the right size, peel one sheet away and use the other to pick up the pastry and flip it over into the pie plate). Fill with meat mixture, cover with second half of pastry and seal edges. Cut a few vents in the top.
8. Brush top with a mixture of egg yolk and milk.
9. Bake at 425F for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.

Youngest daughter was in a skating recital over the weekend. She absolutely nailed it...clever little girl!

As Always…

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

18 comments:

lettergirl said...

Your little skating princess is adorable! And yummm on the pork pie!

Debbie said...

Oh does that ever look good. I'd love to try that!

sj said...

Oh wow does this look good! I am saving this one for the "must make" list!

And your lil one is adorable! So talented!

Susan @ SGCC said...

That pie looks delicious! Kind of like a French-Canadian version of Shepherd's Pie. Well done!

Bob said...

I do hate it when that happens! Come to think of it, I have a couple winter dishes that I haven't made since last year...

That looks mad good though, I love meat pies.

test it comm said...

Looks good! I have been wanting to try tourtiere.

Núria said...

Hola Judy!

Mmmmmm what a fantastic pie! Would love to try it some day :D.

YOur little girl looks so profesional already... how cute :D

Darius T. Williams said...

I love pork and I love pie...so why NOT put them together - great idea!

Elle said...

Your daughter is adorable! My mom used to make pork pie very year around the holidays. I miss it! Will give this one a try, soon--it looks delicious!

Deb Mele said...

My Dad was French Canadian and his family taught my Mom how to make this pie. We usually had it just for special celebrations. My Mom used lard in her pie crust and a small dash of cinnamon in her seasonings. I haven't made it myself for years......think it is time I tried again!

Giff said...

love savory pastry dishes like this :) definitely with you on need to make own pastry

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Great minds think alike Judy. I made a version of tourtiere on the weekend from the Great Canadian Food Show.

The Duo Dishes said...

We've got the pork pie on the to do list. Along with making pie crusts!

Peter M said...

This is one of Quebec's most loved dishes, enjoy it alot and despite it not having any gravy or sauce...it's still damn moist and delish. Merci et bravo Mlle. Judy!

Melissa said...

Hooray for your little girl!

And the pork pie looks great too. :)

Jude said...

Love savory pies. Your daughter looks so cute!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great week night recipe. I do hate when I forget to make our favs! Your daughter is darling!

Emily
justeatfood.com

fav.or.it said...

Mmm that pork pie looks damn good...

sent from: fav.or.it