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This FRENCH CANADIAN TOURTIÈRE RECIPE is a Canadian meat pie that originated from Quebec from as early as 1600. And is traditional served during the Christmas holidays. 

How To Make Canadian Tourtière 

• Start with a pyrex baking dish that is 9.5 x 1.6 deep.
• Then make the butter crust (see recipe card)
• And the pie filling
• Stuff the Tourtiere and bake at 75 f for 45 minutes till golden brown.

I am Canadian, but not Acadian. What? Yup that is what I said.

Acadian peoples after all originated out east. Which I guess would have traditionally been peoples who lived here before Canada became a nation. But I sure am Canadian and proud of it 🙂

Also have 4 ethnicities that make me up. One being french and so this recipe here is past down from my Great Grandma who was 100% French Canadian.

I still have her original recipe with me thanks to my aunt who handed to me a few years ago. And so I decided to share it all with you here.

My grandma on my mom’s side was french Canadian also and so my mom was half, making me 1/4.

Growing up Canadian, I was influenced by many cultural groups and thus foods so it wasn’t like I stuck to just one type of food then or now.

However I’ve appreciated all that was taught to me along the way.

One fond memory I do have is that of my great grandma and grandma both in the kitchen together making Tourtière right right before Christmas.

I must have been somewhere from 5-10 years old then. I also remember enjoying this dish during Christmas dinner and that there never seemed to be enough for us all.

Because one pie typically serves 8-10, so even though there was 2-3 made they would be gone in no time during our large blended family gatherings that always happened at my aunty Donna’s house. 

Bless her sweet soul for hosting us all for some many years. 

I have recently learned that the french part of my family came to Canada after the 1700 and settled in the prairies making them Canadian not Acadian.

Reason I bring this up is because after learning allot about this traditional meat pie and it’s origins in depth from the Valerie Lugonja at Canadian Foodie. I wanted to learn more about my french side and did. 

I have come to know why we prepare it a tad differently than those from out east, who mostly tend to use all pork or even rabbit in there recipe.

So too all you Quebecers and Acadians who claim your variation are the best, I encourage you to try ours and see what you think too.

I’m pretty sure my great grandmother would say that her’s is better haha.

But in the spirit of Christmas let’s just say we all make great meat pies 🙂

Oh and be sure to serve this CANADIAN TOURTIÈRE with a dollop of Ketchup. 

This is the first year, that I have attempted to make it myself, going off my aunt’s recipe.

Who has kept my great grandma’s recipe all these years.

And it is just like I remember it too! So be sure to follow all the steps and I’m confident yours will turn out just as mine did.

PS: don’t skip on the potatoes they really help to hold the pie together. I hope you give it a try this holidays season and let me know what you think.

Could you serve a traditional french Canadian meat pie this Christmas? Could your family like it more than the more traditional Turkey? I would love to know.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Nothing beats a savory meat pie on Christmas day!

Note: You can freeze this ahead of time, and bring it to any gathering to bake fresh.

LOOKING FOR MORE HOLIDAY INSPIRED RECIPES?

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Beef and Mushroom Wellington

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 CRANBERRY STUFFING RECIPE!

Be sure to try these tasty recipes below!

1. Pork Chops with maple syrup and apples
2. Maple Bourbon Glaze Ham
3. Brussel Sprouts with bacon
4. Butter Herb & Parmesan Mushrooms
5. Turkey Pot Pies
6. Creamy Cheese Mashed Potatoes
7. Honey Mustard Brussel Sprouts
8. Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic
9. Canadian Maple Butter
10. Instant Pot Honey Glazed Carrots

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

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FRENCH CANADIAN TOURTIÈRE RECIPE

Yield: 8

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

A Canadian Classic

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Ingredients

PASTRY

• 2 1/2 cups All purpose flour
• 1 cup Cold water
• 1 cup Butter
• 1 tsp Salt

SPICES

• 1 tbsp Savory
• 1 tsp Ground cloves
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Sage
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 tsp Celery Salt
• 1 tsp Season with salt and pepper

FILLING

• 1 pd Organic Ground Beef
• 1 pd Organic Ground Pork
• 2 medium Potatoes
• 1 Onion
• 1 cup Beef stock
• 5 cloves Garlic
• 2 Eggs

Instructions

Butter Crust

1. 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
2. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3. 2/3 cup butter or lard
4. 6-7 tablespoons cold water
5. Combine everything together in a large bowl. Then cut the butter or lard until the mixture is crumbly. Add water and blend just until dough comes together nicely.
6. Shape into a ball, wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
7. Once the filling has been made, roll out the dough and place into the baking dish.

NEXT MAKE THE FILLING:

1. In a large pot of boiling water, add 2 medium sized potatoes with the skin on and boil till fork tender, remove from heat and soak in cold water and remove the skin easily that way. Then in a large frying pan place a little bit of cooking oil then your onion, and garlic, saute till fragrant.
2. Add in your ground hamburger and pork along with seasonings and saute for 3 minutes. Then add in your beef stock and scrape down the sides to mix all the flavors together. Simmer on medium - low heat till the liquid has evaporated, roughly 30 minutes.
3. Using a grater, grate your potatoes into the mixture, remove from heat and set aside to cool down for one hour.
4. Meanwhile prepare your crust according to the above directions. Once it's been chilled for one hour remove the crust and place on a lightly floured surface and divide it in half.
5. Roll each half out to form a large circle shape, one will be for the bottom of the crust the other for the top.
6. Place your bottom half gently over your pie plate and ladle in your filling, fill to the top and press down with a ladle till compact.
7. Now create your egg wash, simply beat two eggs in a bowl.
8. With some egg wash, brush the outside of the oval crust to ensure that the lid sticks together during cooking.
9. Next put the pie crust overtop and using kitchen scissors, cut around the outside edges to remove the excess dough and with your fingers pinch all around the crust to ensure its closed. Finish by brushing the entire top of the pie with remaining egg wash and with a knife make two cuts along the top to allow for ventilation while cooking.
10. Bake at 375 f for 45 minutes till golden brown.
11. Serve with Ketchup and enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 461Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 870mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 12g

These calculations are based off Nutritionix

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