TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE TOURTIERE

Moe and I have been together for almost 50 years.

Tourtiere is a French Canadian Christmas Eve tradition that he grew up with.

Served after Midnight Mass.

I have carried on the tradition (minus the Mass).

This year’s pie served with both gravy as well as a homemade Chile Sauce condiment

that Moe loves with his pie.

Served with a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maverick Estate Winery in Oliver, BC.

Tourtiere

This filling is for one pie. I usually triple the ingredients and make three at a time. I bake all of the pies

and when cold freeze.
Pastry to two crust pie.
1 large onion chopped
2 or 3 tablespoons oil or butter
1 clove garlic
1-1/2 pounds of pork
1 cup gravy or stock (saved from turkey or pork)
2 russet potatoes (par boiled)
2 tablespoons chopped celery leaves
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon thyme,
1/2 teaspoon rosemary (or more)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon allspice, more to taste
Sauté the onion in oil until transparent, add the garlic and sauté for one minute and then add the
ground pork. Cook until the meat is brown.
Add 1/2 cup stock or gravy and cover pan and simmer for about 15 or 20 minutes. Preheat oven to
425°F
Uncover pan and reduce liquid to 2 or 3 tablespoons. Add the seasonings and stir to blend.Adjust
seasonings to taste. Add the
coarsely chopped potatoes and add enough additional gravy to moisten. ( Should not be to wet.)
Spoon filling into pastry shell. Use egg glaze on along overhand.
Place crust on top and trim. Fold the top edge under the bottom and crimp edge. Brush with egg glaze
and decorate with extra pastry if
desired. Sprinkle with Coarse salt.
Bake in the lower third of oven for 15 minutes and then raise to the middle shelf, lower heat to 350 and
continue to bake until golden
brown. About 45 to 55 minutes.

4 Comments Add yours

  1. Patrick T says:

    First of all, congratulations on 50 years of marriage! So inspiring. I’ve never heard of this dish, but it looks divine. Hard to make? Thank you for sharing!

  2. Patrick T says:

    Firstly, congratulations on 50 years of marriage! So inspiring. I have never heard of this dish before, but it looks divine. Hard to make? Thanks for sharing!

  3. Hi Patrick, actually 43 years married, but together since 1973. Tourtiere is a French Canadian meat pie typically served after Mass on Christmas Eve. Something Moe grew up with. There are a number of variations depending on family recipes. I only use ground pork but I know that it isn’t uncommon for someone to make it with beef of a combination. I prefer just pork. Also, Allspice is one of the seasonings and it is what distinguishes a Tourtiere from being just a meat pie. You can find the recipe here. One of those recipes I tend to post almost every year…….https://thibeaultstable.com/2016/12/25/christmas-eve-tourtiere/

  4. Patrick T says:

    Hi Ann – Thanks for this and the recipe! It’s wonderful that Moe has such a longstanding tradition associated with this dish. The power of food – and a great cook! 😃

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