A Winter Family Tradition: Tourtiere Meat Pie

Ingredients

• 1 Small- Onion (diced)
• 2 Large Potatoes (mashed)
• 1 Pound - Ground Beef
• 1 Pound - Ground Pork
• 1 Teaspoon - Cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon - Nutmeg
• 1 Teaspoon - Salt (more to taste if needed)
• 1 Garlic Clove (finely minced)
• 1 Large Egg (beaten for egg washing the top of the pie)
• PIE DOUGH: (9" pie = top and bottom crust)
• 3 Cups - All-purpose Flour
• 1 Teaspoon - Salt
• 1 Cup - Shortening (I use Crisco)
• 6-10 Tablespoons of Cold Water

Method

1. When making the pie dough I divide the ingredients in half and make the top and bottom crust separately. Then I know I have the correct amount of dough per top and bottom.
2. In a food processor I add 1 1/2 Cups of flour, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt and 1/2 Cup Shortening. I pulse together to incorporate.
3. While the food processor is running I add 2-3 Tablespoons of cold water and watch the dough start to form. Once it can hold together and it's not too dry I remove, form into a ball or flat square, wrap in cling wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill. I then process to make the second ball of pie dough.
4. Once the pie dough is chilling in the refrigerator, it's time to start the filling. In a medium to large pot you want to fill with water and bring to a boil.
5. While the water is coming to a boil, peel and cut the potatoes. Once water is boiling, add the potatoes and cook until a fork can easily poke through. Around 12 minutes
6. Drain the cooked potatoes, but reserve 1/2 cup of the water, mash them in the pot and set aside in a dish.
7. In a medium pot, cook the onions, garlic, beef and pork until the meat is no longer pink. Drain the excess fat. Add the Salt, Cinnamon and Nutmeg and combined
8. Then add the 1/2 cup of potato water, mix and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.
9. Take the pot off of the heat and add the mashed potatoes. Mix until combined and set aside to cool while you prepare the pie dough. Taste the filling and adjust salt levels if needed.
10. Remove chilled pie dough from the refrigerator, place a sheet of wax paper onto your work surface. Place your dough on top, then add another sheet of wax paper above. With a rolling pin, roll out dough 2-3" beyond the 9" pie plate.
11. Transfer the dough onto the plate and pour the cooled filling inside. Roll out the second sheet of pie dough and transfer on top.
12. Cut a few air vents on top of the pie, crimp the edges together and use a pastry brush to apply the egg wash to the top. I sprinkled a little sea salt on top, but that's optional.
13. Place the pie onto a large baking sheet just in case the filling bubbles out. Bake at 400° degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the pie to sit for 10 minutes before serving! Enjoy