Do you know about Tourtière?
Tourtière is a traditional meat pie primarily eaten in Canada.
The allure lies in its rich aroma, where meat and spices blend together, revealing a subtle sweetness.
This time, we'll introduce everything about Tarte Tarte, from how it's made to its history!
Please watch until the very end!
What kind of dish is Tourtière?
Tourtière is a traditional meat pie primarily eaten in the Canadian province of Quebec.
Season the ground meat with spices, wrap it in pie dough, and bake it to make.
It is particularly cherished in French-Canadian households and_ is known as an essential home-cooked dish during festive seasons like Christmas and_ New Year's.
Tourtière offers a rich, aromatic flavor where the savory notes of meat are complemented by the warmth of spices like cinnamon and cloves, with a hint of sweetness.
The texture is moist, creating an appealing contrast with the flaky crispness of the pie crust.
To Japanese sensibilities, it's closer to the impression of a “meat pie with a subtle hint of spice.”
Sometimes it is eaten with ketchup or pickles.
How was Tourtière created?
Connection with France
Tortier was introduced by immigrants from France.
In the first half of the 17th century, France established a colony in North America called “New France.”
This corresponds to present-day Quebec and the area around Montreal.
At that time, the French brought their culinary culture to Canada.
Along with stews and preserved foods, pie dishes were brought along.
One of these, a meat-filled pie called “tourte,” is thought to have been the prototype for Tourtière.
In France, it was a dish made by stuffing poultry, fish, vegetables, and other ingredients and baking them, often served at celebratory gatherings.
However, Canada is extremely cold, and settlers require food that can be stored long-term.
The ingenuity they employed there led to the birth of Tourtière.
Adaptations for Cold Climates
They begin to use pork and potatoes, which are easier to store even in winter.
These ingredients were highly valued for their low fat and moisture content, which preserved their texture and made them resistant to oxidation.
The spices that form the core of Tourtière's seasoning are also used because they are easy to stockpile.
And Tourtière points out that the cooking method of pie itself also has its merits.
Pies are typically made by wrapping fillings in dough and baking them, right?
The act of wrapping with that cloth ultimately served to reduce moisture and enhance preservation.
For these reasons, a unique meat pie adapted to Canada's climate and lifestyle was born.
Modern Turtières
Today, Tourtière is known as a representative regional dish of Quebec.
It is made in restaurants and homes across Canada, and many variations have emerged.
Particularly in Quebec, it developed as a winter preserved food and festive dish, becoming a traditional meal enjoyed by families on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
Tourtière is cherished across Canada as a “pride of Quebec culture.”
Fun Facts and Interesting Stories About Tourtière
Origin of the Name
The name “Tourtière” is said to have originally referred to a round metal mold used for baking pies.
Later, the dish itself made using that mold came to be called “Tourtière.”
In other words, it is said to be a rare case where the name of the utensil came before the name of the dish.
It used to be “bird pie.”
While pork is now the mainstream choice, it is said that early Tourtières used poultry or fish meat.
It is said that early immigrants to Quebec in particular used migratory birds as the filling for their “tourte.”
This bird, unlike the crane, is a type of passenger pigeon. It was abundant in large numbers, and it was common practice to hunt them for pie.
It is also said that the name originates from a combination of this bird (tourte) and the pie dish (tourtière).
Christmas feast
In Quebec, it is customary for families to gather on Christmas Eve and dine together until late at night.
That's when Tourtière always makes an appearance.
It's truly a Quebec staple for Christmas dinner.
Every household has its own secret spice.
In traditional Tourtière, the blend of spices is the key to the flavor.
The basic spices are cinnamon, cloves, and_ allspice, but many households have their own secret recipes, often adding ingredients like nutmeg, sage, or_ marjoram.
From “Home Cooking” to “Cultural Heritage”
Tourtière transcends mere home cooking; it is spoken of as a “symbol of culinary culture” and a “source of local pride.”
At cultural festivals and cooking contests, a “Tourtière category” may sometimes be included.
Additionally, in some parts of Quebec, it is offered as a signature dish at restaurants as a tourist attraction.
How to Make Tourtière
Ingredients (for one 20cm diameter pie dish)
＜Pie Crust＞
- Cake flour (or all-purpose flour)… 250g
- Unsalted butter… 120g (chilled and cut into cubes)
- Cold water... Approximately 60ml
- Salt... 1/4 teaspoon
※Store-bought frozen pie crusts are also acceptable.
＜Ingredients＞
- Ground pork... 300g
- Ground beef (or additional pork)… 200g
- Onion... 1 (finely chopped)
- Potato... 1 medium (grated or finely chopped)
- Garlic... 1 clove (minced)
- Salt... 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper... 1/2 teaspoon
- Cinnamon… 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground cloves... a pinch
- Allspice... 1/4 teaspoon
- Water… approximately 100ml
- Breadcrumbs (or cracker crumbs)... 2 tablespoons (to absorb excess moisture)
How to make them
① Make the pie crust
- Place the cake flour and salt in a bowl, then add the cold butter.
- Using your fingertips, mash the butter and mix until it resembles fine crumbs.
- Gradually add cold water and mix until the dough comes together.
- Divide into two equal portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
② Cook the meat filling
- Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion and garlic.
- Add the ground meat and stir-fry until it changes color.
- Add potatoes, spices, salt and pepper, and water, then simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes.
- Once the moisture has evaporated sufficiently, add the breadcrumbs and mix lightly.
- Let it cool slightly.
③ Assemble
- Place half of the chilled pie crust on the bottom of the pie dish.
- Spread the meat filling evenly.
- Cover with the remaining half of the dough and press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Make a small slit in the center to allow steam to escape.
- Brushing the surface lightly with egg yolk (not included in the recipe) will give it a nice golden color.
④ Bake
- Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for about 40 to 45 minutes.
- When the surface turns a golden brown, it's done!
How to provide
- The basic rule is to cut it while it's still warm and eat it right away.
- It also pairs well with ketchup, pickles, mustard, and other condiments.
- Starting the next day, store it in the refrigerator and reheat it in the oven to restore its deliciousness.
Points
- Adding potatoes helps the ingredients bind together and prevents them from falling apart even when cooled.
- The amount of spice can be adjusted to taste. Using less spice makes it well-suited to Japanese palates.
- If you're not comfortable making dough from scratch, store-bought frozen pie crusts are perfectly fine to use instead.
Summary
How was it?
This time, we introduced Tourtière, a Canadian home-style dish.
It was a one-of-a-kind pie dish, crafted with ingenuity and pride for cold climates.
This dish also offers a wide range of flavors depending on the spices used, allowing you to enjoy both tastes suited to Japanese palates and authentic Canadian flavors.
This article also explains how to make it.
Use this as a guide to try making your own Tourtière at home.
Also, I imagine some people are wondering if there are any restaurants in Japan that serve this dish.
To put it simply, it seems to be quite rare.
It is quite rare for it to be served under the name “Tourtière,” and it seems more common for similar dishes to be offered instead.
Therefore, I believe making it yourself is the quickest way to enjoy a Tourtière.
However, Tourtière itself is such a delicious dish that I really want everyone to try it.
You're sure to fall in love with it!
Thank you for watching until the very end!
If you'd like, please feel free to browse our other articles.
Comments