French Meat Pie

           This is one of Canada’s trademarks, at least it should be. It is a meat pie made with beef and onions and a few spices that make it super savory. This mix is placed inside of a homemade pie crust and baked.

In America, it would relate to a pot pie. This is that meal you will never forget your first bite. It will forever be in your mind as ‘My first bite’.

            This meal has spices that are very familiar, that taste great and are exactly what makes this a perfect dish. These spices, along with others include cinnamon, all-spice and cloves.

It is these three that make it the French meat pie that it is. This Meat pie is a tradition for many French on Christmas Eve, but many will wait and have it as their big dinner on Christmas Day.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            What should I serve this with?

This Meat Pie is quite a hearty and filling dish. When I make it, I generally go with a side dish that is a little lighter, such as a light dinner salad, or even a fruit plate.

            Do I have to make a pie crust homemade?

Of course you can save time by purchasing a premade crust. However, I do highly suggest a homemade crust. They are so much fluffier than a store bought crust.

            Can I make this ahead of time?

You could definitely make it ahead and keep the filling separate until shortly before eating. You could also make the entire dish and wrap it in a couple layers of plastic wrap and then in a layer of aluminum foil and place it in the freezer. It can be left in the freezer for 1 month. When ready to cook, you will need an additional 25 minutes.

            What should I serve with this Meat Pie?

I usually will make a coleslaw, a cabbage salad or dinner salad. You want something that is a little lite since the meat pie is so hearty.

What do you need to make French Meat Pie

            8 ounces ground pork

            16 ounces lean ground beef

            1 medium onion diced fine

            2 large potatoes, cleaned and diced

            ½ cup water

            ⅛ tsp black pepper

            ½ tsp salt

            ¼ tsp cinnamon

            ¼ tsp all-spice

            ¼ tsp cloves

            2 layers of pie crust

How to make French Meat Pie

FIRST STEP:

Combine the ground pork, ground beef, water and onions in a skillet

a)

b)

SECOND STEP:

Place a cover on the pan and cook until the meat is cooked through and onions are soft. Stirring occasionally.

In a pot of lightly salted water, place the diced potatoes in. Boil until tender and drain

Add the potatoes to the meat mixture

a)

b)

c)

THIRD STEP:

Add in the cinnamon, cloves, all spice, salt and pepper and combine well

a)

b)

Mash this mixture with a potato masher

FOURTH STEP:

Roll your pastry dough into two 11 inch circles, counter dusted with flour

a)

b)

Place one pie crust in the bottom of a pie plate

FIFTH STEP:

Spoon in the meat mixture

Cover with the top layer of pastry.

SIXTH STEP:

Flute the edges and make a few slits in the top of the crust

Bake at 450* for 20 minutes, or until the crust is light golden brown

Enjoy!

YUM!