Recipe : Tourtière Du Lac Saint-Jean

The Tourtière du Lac Saint-Jean is a traditional French-Canadian meat pie that originates from the Lac Saint-Jean region in Quebec, Canada. It is a beloved dish typically served during the holiday season. 

Preparation:  45min | Cook : 5h 30min | Resting: 13h

INGREDIENTS | 6 Servings

• Filling
  • 500g (1.1 lbs) venison (or other game meat)
  • 225g (8 oz) salt pork
  • 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes
  • 25g (1 oz) onions
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 ground clove
  • 1 egg yolk
  • salt and pepper

• Pastry
  • 450g (1 lb) flour
  • 225g (8 oz) lard
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp yeast
  • 100 ml (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp) ice water
  • 1/2 tsp of vinegar

PREPARATION

Step 1
Combine the dry ingredients (flour with salt and yeast) and the wet ones (lard, egg, vinegar, and water). Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix until you form a dough. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in a plastic wrap and let cool in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.

Step 2
Cut the venison, pork, and salt pork into cubes, transfer to a bowl, and season with spices, salt, and pepper. Cut the potatoes into cubes, but leave them unpeeled. Place them in a bowl and cover with water. Leave both bowls in the refrigerator overnight.

Step 3
Six hours before the meal, roll out 2/3 of the dough and place it in a rectangular mold.

Step 4
Combine the meat with the potatoes, adjust the seasoning, and transfer the mixture into the mold. Roll out the remaining dough and cover the mold.

Step 5
Use water to crimp the edges together and glaze the surface with a beaten egg yolk. Make a hole in the middle of the pie, about 5 cm/2-inch wide that will help let the steam out during baking.

Step 6
Bake in a preheated oven at 210°C/410°F for 30 minutes, cover with aluminum foil and continue baking for the next 5 hours at 150°C/300°F. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes to get the crust to brown. When done, turn off the heat, and leave the pie in the oven for one hour.

Bon appétit !