elaine's christmas eve tourtiere
This is the tourtiere that I have traditionally served to my family on Christmas Eve. A Quebecois friend told me this is a Tourtiere from the St. John region of Quebec because it uses mashed potato as a thickener. Best potato for this is a mealy potato (russet or netted gems). I usually triple the recipe because it isn’t much more work than making a smaller amount. I sometimes change the meat to a mix of ground pork, ground turkey, ground chicken thighs, ground lean beef or ground veal. This makes the recipe a bit leaner. Pork is always the main ingredient.
prep time
45 Min
cook time
35 Min
method
Bake
yield
6 serving(s)
Ingredients
- 1 medium potato, mashed
- 1/2 cup potato water
- 1 pound minced pork
- 1 small onion chapped finely
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried
- 1/2 teaspoon sage, dried
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- - double crust pastry
How To Make elaine's christmas eve tourtiere
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Step 1Boil potato in slightly salted water. Drain and reserve 1/2 c. water. Mash potato.
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Step 2Combine pork, reserved potato water (if there is not enough potato water you may add more water or stock), onion, garlic and seasonings in a large saucepan. Break up the minced meat as it cooks so that it combines well with the other ingredients. Bring to the boiling point then lower heat and simmer stirring occasionally for 25 minutes or until surplus liquid is reduced.
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Step 3Remove from heat and stir in mashed potato. Taste for seasonings and add salt if needed.
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Step 4Chill mixture.
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Step 5Prepare double crust pastry for each pie.
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Step 6Fill pastry lined pans with chilled meat mixture. Place top pastry over filling and seal. Cut decorative holes in top of pastry to allow steam to escape.
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Step 7Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes then reduce temperature to 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until crust is golden.
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Step 8The pies freeze very well before or after baking. If you freeze them unbaked, let them defrost before baking. If you freeze them baked, defrost and then warm in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes. I often make these pies over a couple of days. I prepare the filling and pastry and chill overnight. The next day I assemble and bake the pies.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Category:
Meat Appetizers
Category:
Pork
Ingredient:
Pork
Diet:
Dairy Free
Method:
Bake
Tag:
#Heirloom
Culture:
Canadian
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