French Canadians give us tourtiere, a savory meat pie that’s both easy and satisfying for a Christmas Eve dinner to serve both family and friends. This version of the traditional pie from Maggie Rogers on AllRecipes makes ground pork the star, but many variations offer a combination of meats. One favorite uses half pork and half ground beef. Traditionally this hearty dish is served with relish or a tart and fruity ketchup. Try cranberry ketchup as an accompaniment.

Tourtiere

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground pork

1 large baking potato

1 large onion, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 dash ground allspice

1/2 cup water

1 recipe pastry for a 9-inch double crust deep dish pie

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions

  1. Bake the potato until done, 30 – 45 minutes in a preheated 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) oven. Peel and mash the potato.
  2. Place the potato, ground pork, onion, spices and water in a large frying pan and simmer until very thick, for about one hour.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare your pastry.
  4. Line a deep-dish pie plate with pastry. Spoon in filling, spreading evenly. Cover with top crust.
  5. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Cut steam vent. Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). If edges brown too fast, cover with a strip of foil. Serve warm.

Find the Maggie Rogers contribution on AllRecipes here, and go here to see a video on how one chef assembles tourtiere.

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