French Canadian Ragout Fricot Food

FRENCH CANADIAN RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a large pot, boil hocks and all all spices.
• Boil till all the meat is easily taken off the bones.
• Remove all meat and eliminate the fat and whatever you dont want to eat from the hocks, this should take 1 to 1 and a half hours.
• Discard bones and unwanted matter.
• Set aside.
• Stain liquid and hold till later.
• In a fry pan, brown dry flour till it starts smelling great and turns lightly beige (dont let the flour burn) Add liquid to flour stirring constantly till you get a good constistency. Your call.
• Pour everything in your large pot and cook till your potatoes are done adding more spices or water for your taste.
• If anything it makes for great glue in the morning. Joking aside its a great winters rib sticking meal. Try it its delicious. MERCI.

FRENCH CANADIAN RAGOUT (FRICOT)

Steps:

• HOME MADE BROWNED FLOUR: Turn oven on to broil.
• In a large skillet put about 3 cups of all purpose flour.
• Place in the oven on the middle rack.
• Let the flour brown for about 5-6 minutes.
• Remove and stir well.
• Repeat, mixing every 5-6 minutes.
• Be careful not to burn.
• This may require 4-6 times.
• Brown and mix until flour is a nice light caramel colour.
• In a large pot put the pork pieces, the studded onion, bay leaves, salt and pepper.
• Cover with water about two inches above.
• Bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hour.
• The meat should be well done.
• Remove the meat and let cool so you can handle it.
• Remove the skin and most of the fat, leaving the meat in chunks.
• Refrigerate.
• Meanwhile let the broth cool overnight so the fat comes to the top and congeals so it can be removed.
• FOR THE MEATBALLS: Mix all the other ingredients, (except browned flour) in a bowl.
• Mix well and form meatballs about one inch in diameter.
• Cover a baking pan with foil and cook the meatballs in a 350°F oven for approx 15 minutes.
• Refrigerate.
• The next day put the reserved pork meat in the pot and pour enough of the degreased broth to cover by about 3 inches.
• Bring to a light boil.
• Meanwhile, Mix the flour with cold water a bit at a time until you get a medium thick paste.
• Pour one large spoonful at a time in the broth and let simmer a few minutes.
• Repeat until the sauce is thickened to your taste (not too thick).
• Add the meatballs and cook another 7-10 minutes.
• Serve with boiled or mashed potatoes.
• If you want to be traditional, also serve with the tourtiere.

PATTE DE COCHON (FRENCH CANADIAN PORK HOCK STEW)

Steps:

• (For Broth).
• Cover pork hocks with water, add chopped onion, garlic powder, allspice, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 2 hours. Add water as needed.
• Remove hocks, cool and take meat off bones. Strain the broth and reserve.
• (For Meat Balls).
• Mix ground meat, egg, allspice, onion salt, onion chips, garlic powder, nutmeg and allspice together and form into small meatballs. Roll the meatballs in flour to coat. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Brown the dry flour in frying pan until light golden brown. Mix flour well with 1 ½ cup water and add to broth. Once meatballs are out of the oven, place in a casserole dish and cover with broth. Simmer in 275 degree oven for 3 hours. Add meat from pork hocks and let simmer for another hour.