Special Pork Tourtiere

Baby Kato's Note:

This is a family favourite--my mom's wonderful east coast pork pie recipe, which I have added to over the years. Mom makes hers with a crust made from tea biscuits--I use a flaky pastry crust--both work well. Serve with red pepper jelly or chili sauce on side.

• Total Time: 2 hrs
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 lbs ground pork
• 1 cup water
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cups apples (fresh, crabapples, grated ) or 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup raisins, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup dried apricot, chopped fine
• 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mace
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 double crust pie crusts, pastry dough (or tea biscuit dough top & bottom for 2 - 9-inch pans)

Directions:

1. Combine pork, water, onion, garlic, apple, raisins, apricots and seasonings in pan.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. then simmer uncovered, until liquid has evaporated (45 min) Stir often.
4. Remove from heat, stir in bread crumbs and cool to room temperature.
5. When filling is cooled pour into two unbaked pie shells, cover, brush top shell with milk Place pies in 400°F preheated oven for 10 minute.
6. Reduce heat to 350°F for 25- 35 minutes.
7. Pies freeze well.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

DEFINITELY A GREAT TREAT, & something out of the ordinary! Just wish I could find crabapples somewhere, but no luck ~ I grew up in northeastern Montana & had them all the time! Anyway, I followed your great recipe & still have one pie in the freezer! I keep a cranberry & mild salsa sauce on hand much of the time, & that went very well with this pork pie! Thanks for sharing your recipe! [Made & reviewed in the Family Picks part of Zaar World Tour 4]

[Bokenpop aka Madeleine]

The blend of fruit and spices is just right to give a rather bland meat a wonderful lift. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe.

[Debbie R.]

What a wonderful discovery! I'd never heard of tourtiere. This recipe is one of DH's favorite dishes from Zaar. I loved the red pepper jelly with it. A taste sensation for sure.