French Canadian Meat Pie

ground pork

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground chicken is often less expensive.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil adds healthy fats, while margarine can be a cost-effective substitute.

potato

🥗Healthier: sweet potato

💰Cheaper: mashed cauliflower

Sweet potatoes provide more nutrients, while mashed cauliflower is lower in carbs.

egg

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: aquafaba

Flaxseed meal is a healthy egg substitute, while aquafaba is a budget-friendly vegan option.

Prepare the pastry: Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter or lard until mixture is a rough crumbly texture. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time and mix just until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, flatten, wrap, and chill in the refrigerator.

While pastry is chilling, prepare the filling: Peel and cut potatoes into 2-inch chunks, add them to a medium saucepan, and fill with water until it covers the potatoes by 2-inches. Bring the saucepan to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to medium-high and boil until the potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes. Reserve 1/2-cup of potato water and drain the rest. Mash potatoes and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, and garlic, and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and pork and cook until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off excess fat. Add the poultry seasoning, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and reserved potato water. Mix well and simmer for about 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in mashed potatoes, and set the filling aside to cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 400°F/205°C. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough in half and flatten one ball of dough with your hands. Roll dough to about 12-inches in diameter to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place the pastry into the pie plate and add the meat filling. Brush around the outer edge of the pastry with the beaten egg. Roll out the top pastry and place on top of the filling. Fold the top crust under the bottom crust and pinch or flute the edges. Brush with egg wash and cut vent holes.

Bake the pie in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Remove the tourtière from oven and let it cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens