It was love at first bite!
My dear friend Cathy introduced me to this classic
Canadian Christmas dish a few years ago and I
have since adopted it into my traditions as well.
I lived in Canada as a little girl (Niagara Falls),
so it seemed a nice nod to those Canadian
Christmas memories from childhood.
We didn't make tortiere, but I can now!
Tortiere is a savory pork main dish pie.
It's traditionally served around holiday time,
particularly in Quebec on Christmas Eve.
It has complex flavors and fills your home with
the most wonderful aroma.
I needed to borrow the 1/4 t mace
from a tennis friend. It's a lot like
nutmeg, but I wanted to follow Cathy's
recipe exactly.
Just mash the cooked potatoes adding
nothing to them. They will go into
the cooked pork.
Simmer.
I made my own pie crust, but you can
buy ready-made and use that.
Once the meat mixture has cooled, add it
to the pie and cover the top with crust.
Cut in a vent. I have a tin of holiday shapes
that I get to use for just such an occasion.
Ready for the oven.
Time to make the mushroom gravy.
Saute seasoned mushrooms in a little butter.
Add your favorite brown gravy mix and add
a little extra water than instructed so that
it's not too thick. Use at least
2 packets...maybe 3 if you
are gravy lovers, (and who isn't?).
Out of the oven when golden.
Slice into 6-8 portions.
Serve with mushroom gravy,
scalloped potatoes (they bake along in the oven),
green salad, or vegetable.
Don't you just LOVE family traditions,
both old and new!
Here's Cathy's recipe. YUM!
French Canadian Tortiere
1-1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 C boiling water
1 can consomme soup
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-1/2 t salt
1/4 t each: mace, sage, pepper
pinch ground cloves
3 medium potatoes, peeled, cubed, boiled, mashed
In a saucepan thoroughly combine all ingredients
except potatoes. Stir frequently over low heat,
cooking until pork looses it's pink color and the
liquid is reduced by half, about 45 minutes.
Boil and mash potatoes. Add to meat mixture and
let cool. Line a deep dish pie pan with crust. Fill
with the meat mixture and cover with top crust.
Seal edges and flute. Carve a Christmas tree or star
on top to vent. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes, then
reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for another
45 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve.
Serve with mushroom gravy and scalloped or
mashed potatoes, vegetable and/or salad.
You can use refrigerated pre-made crust or make your own.
Combine the flour and salt in a food processor
Pulse to combine. Add the Crisco and pulse on/off
about 15-30 times, until blended.
With machine running, drizzle in
enough ice water just until it begins to
hold together. Divide dough in half, and
shape into flatted disks. Wrap in plastic,
chill at least 1 hour or up to 3 days or
frozen for up to 1 month.
Roll out on a floured surface.
Enough for a double crust pie or
Enjoy!
