Tourtière is a popular dish in French-Canadian cuisine that resembles a meat pie filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, vegetables, and spices. This recipe will guide you through the steps to make a delicious tourtière at home.
Ingredients
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* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
* 2 pounds ground pork
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
* 1 large turnip, peeled and grated
* 1 celery stalk, chopped
* 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 large eggs, beaten
* 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
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1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the chilled butter cubes and mix with your hands or a pastry cutter until you have coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until the dough comes together into a ball.
2. Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disk shape. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground pork over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
4. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the pork and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
5. Add the grated carrot, turnip, and celery to the skillet and sauté for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
6. Stir in the smoked paprika, dried thyme, cumin, and allspice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional minute to allow the spices to release their flavor.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and let it cool slightly. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked meat mixture and 1 beaten egg until well combined. Set aside.
8. On a floured surface, roll out one disk of dough into a 12-inch circle. Place the meat mixture in the center of the circle and trim the edges to leave about an inch of dough around the outside.
9. Fold the edges of the dough up and over the meat mixture, pinching the seams together to seal them. Brush the top of the tourtière with the remaining beaten egg and milk mixture.
10. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the tourtière on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the tourtière to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.