Nanny Mclellans Tourtiere Pie Food

TOURTIERE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the meat in batches until browned. Tip into a large bowl and set aside.
• Heat the remaining oil in the same pan, then add the onions, carrot, celery and garlic. Fry for 8-10 mins until softened. Add this to the meat.
• Simmer the wine in the pan for 10 mins to reduce. Tip in the meat and veg, then the spices, thyme, bay and stock. Cook for 30 mins, uncovered. Stir in the oats and simmer for 15 mins. Discard the bay, then season. Cool completely.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a 20cm loose-bottom tin with the shortcrust pastry, pushing it into the sides of the tin. Leave 2cm of pastry overhanging and trim away the excess. Prick the bottom with a fork, cover with baking parchment and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 mins. Remove the parchment and beans, and bake for another 15 mins until golden.
• Trim the edges with a serrated knife and pack in the meat filling. Brush some of the egg around the edge of the pastry, then drape the puff pastry over the top, trim the edges and crimp all the way round with a fork. Use the puff pastry offcuts to make decorations for the pie, if you like (or see tip, below). Brush with more egg and make 4-5 holes in the top. Can be frozen for up to six weeks at this stage. Defrost thoroughly before baking. Bake at 190C/170C fan/gas 5 for 40-50 mins. Leave to rest for 10 mins before serving.

TOURTIER - SIX PIE

Steps:

• In a bowl sift flour with salt. Make a well in the center and add the butter and lard cut into small cubes. Mix lightly with the finger-tips along with the iced water. Form into a smooth dough. Divide into 2 discs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Place all the meats through a fine mincer. Place the onion into a dry frying pan low heat and add the meat. Allow to fry gently in its own fat. When juices start top form in the bottom of the pan, season with the cinnamon, allspice, salt and pepper. Moisten the meat with water and cook very gently covered for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cook potatoes in water. Drain and mash. Allow to cool. Add the meat mixture to the cold mashed potatoes and combine thoroughly. Season with more salt, to taste, if necessary.
• Roll out 1 disc of dough and place in a 10-inch pie plate. Brush surface with egg white. Prick the base and fill with the meat mixture, packing down lightly and smoothing the surface. Roll out the other disc of dough. Paint the rim with egg white and place the pastry lid on top. Secure the edges by crimping them together. Paint the pie with egg yolk and bake for 40 minutes.

TOURTIERE DU QUEBEC (FRENCH-CANADIAN MEAT PIE)

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients (except for pie shell) in a sauce pan and bring to boil and cook uncovered for 20 minutes over medium heat.
• Cool the meat mixture and pour in pastry lined pan. Note: I like to cool mine in refrigerator over night if time permits.
• Cover with the top crust, cut steam vents and bake in a 400F oven until golden, about 45 minutes.
• Freeze well.
• Note: If ground pork and ground veal cannot be found, you can use meatloaf mix which is all 3 meat but I'm not sure of the ratio.

NANNY MCLELLAN'S TOURTIERE PIE

Steps:

• For pastry - Combine Flour, baking powder & salt in a large mixing bowl.
• Cut 1.5 cups of lard into flour mixture until mealy.
• Completely dissolve remaining lard into hot water.
• Add Lemon juice and well beaten egg to hot lard water.
• Mix liquids into flour mixture until dough leaves the sides of the bowl.
• Turn out to a floured board and knead for about 1 minute and/or all flour is blended.
• Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for 1 to 12 hours.
• For Filling - Mix all ingredient except bread crumbs in a large sauce pan.
• Bring to a boil and cook uncovered over medium heat for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Add a few spoonfuls of bread crumbs and let stand for 10 minutes.
• If fat is sufficiently absorbed by crumbs, do not add more. If not continue in same manner.
• Cool filling and pour into pastry lined pans.
• Cover with crust and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.
• Serve hot.