November Is Recipe Month

[batboy126]

This is a recipe I'm including mostly for its cultural and family associations. Pork pie isn't the healthiest food in the world, and not something you'd want to eat every day, but Tourtiere is a traditional French Canadian dish which my maternal relatives usually made for New Year's Day and special occasions.

Tourtiere1 lb minced pork

Comments

[xpired39]

I think Tourtiere is something you have to grow up with. I didn't, but I married into it and I still don't get it. I'm pretty sure my in-laws also use beef along with the pork. There's always a big discussion about the meat pies. Everyone weighs in on how this one is the best in years, or whatever. Then they all, every last one of them, smother the whole thing with ketchup before digging in. One Christmas I had forgotten to get the gallon of ketchup required and they still bring it up every year.

[bodleian]

Sounds interesting but I'm not tempted to try it.

[snowmore]

My Mother use to make a version, but I was not tempted in the least. I didn't have the need to eat meat baked in a pie crust, but I expect it's greatly enjoyed by many.

Reminds me I want to post my pizza dough recipe. lol

[zamaxfield]

-- If the fat is not sufficiently absorbed by crumbs, don't add more; if not, continue in the same manner.--

That's a tiny little bit confusing. If it's not sufficiently absorbed, wouldn't it be more prudent to add more breadcrumbs, and then if it is absorbed... um... don't, because it's absorbed? I'm probably reading that wrong. What's interesting about the recipe is the use of cloves and savory. Very holiday-riffic. Almost medieval. It should be served with wassail.

Here's a recipe from Alton Brown for Wassail:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/wassail-recipe/index.html

Yeah, pork pie is one of those things where you have to ask yourself if you're feeling lucky. A combination of foods no one really needs to eat anymore. Pork, pork fat, and pie crust, probably made with... pork fat. Sure to get you busted with the food police.

But isn't it from the people who bring us poutine...?

[batboy126]

Sorry about the confusion; it was a typo. It should read:
If the fat is sufficiently absorbed by crumbs, don't add more.

"But isn't it from the people who bring us poutine...?"
Indeed it is. My people, at least on one side of the family tree, but I don't share their relationship with saturated fat. I might take a bite or two over the holidays out of nostalgia, but that's about it. And I wouldn't touch poutine on a bet.

[zamaxfield]

My people are responsible for Caldo Verde. (Portugal) Irish Soda Bread (Uh, self-explanatory) and Poi. Go figure.

Caldo verde is a perfectly good reason to get reacquainted with a modest amount -- an ounce or two -- of saturated fat because it's chock full of Kale and some of my kids will eat it:

http://www.soupsong.com/rkale1.html

[aulic_exclusiva]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngcAuqshkqE

[batboy126]

Why, thanks. I feel like I'm inside an elevator.
Merry Christmas to you too.