Saturday 15 November 2008

Classic Tourtiere - This is What's For Dinner - a First For Me!

 

So I was at this holiday fundraising bazaar selling my fabulous Gold Canyon candles and the big draw was these Tourtieres.

St. James Church in Carleton Place has been running the Partridge in a Pear Tree fundraising event for several years. The meat pies (tourtieres) are baked by many a baker in kitchens throughout the county, all in support of Carleton Place District and Memorial Hospital.

People from as far away as Ottawa travel to stand in line for as long as it takes to be one of the lucky 'first come, first served' for one or a few of the only 250 pies.

When Peter called to say hi and ask how it was going, he also asked if I'd bought a pie.

The thought had never crossed my mind, because I'd never had one before. So now, another Canadian tradition will be crossed off the list.

I hope it tastes good!

Ingredients:

Pastry

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 6 tbsp to 10 tbsp cold water as needed

Filling

  • 1 1/2 cups diced, peeled potatoes
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground pork, veal, beef or combination
  • 2 x onions, diced
  • 1 x medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 x bay leaves
  • 3/4 tsp fine salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp crushed celery seed
  • dash allspice
  • dash ground cloves
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 egg mixed with 2 Tbsp (25 mL) water for glazing

Directions:

Pastry

  1. Combine flour with salt. Cut in butter and shortening until mixture is a roughly even crumbly texture. Add lemon juice and water and blend just until dough comes together.
  2. Shape into a disc, wrap and chill for 30 minutes. While pastry is chilling, prepare filling.

Filling

  1. Cook potatoes in an uncovered pot of salted water until tender and drain. Roughly mash potatoes and set aside to cool.
  2. In a large sauté pan or skillet, sauté beef, pork and/or veal over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat, add onions and seasonings and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.
  3. Add cider and water and bring up to a simmer. Let mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, until most of liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, stir in potatoes and cool to room temperature. This can be prepared a day in advance.
  4. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, cut dough in half, roll out to just less than ¼-inch (.5 cm) thickness and line an 8-inch (20 cm) springform pan. Fill with tourtière filling.
  6. Roll out remaining dough, cut a hole in center (for steam to escape) and place on top of filling. Pinch edges of crust together and brush with eggwash. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until pastry is a rich golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes, then remove from pan and serve.
  7. Tourtière can be made up to 2 days in advance and reheated in a 300 °F oven.

Classic Tourtiere - Food Network Canada