As I mentioned in my previous post, Mom is staying with us for a couple of weeks while Dad has returned to Boone for work. He will come back later in the month, and the two of them will head to Miami for the Holidays.
Yesterday, Mom and I made Canadian meat pies. It's a recipe passed down, once again, by Mimi the First, Mom's maternal grandmother, Leonie Lemery LeGault. Mimi made these pies, along with her children, grandchildren, and now her great-grandchildren, and they are amazing, though their distinct flavor may need acquiring to for some! When Rob and I were first dating, we visited Up-State New York with my family, and had dinner at Aunt Jackie and Uncle Bob's at their home in Argyle, in the foothills of the Adirondack's. Aunt Jack had become the undisputed matriarch of the LeGault clan when Mimi passed on, and it was always a treat to be in her home and have her cook for us! On that summer day, Aunt Jack made meat pies for dinner, and served generous slices along side the sweetest ears of corn I had ever tasted! Rob cleaned his plate and complimented the chef, who promptly laid another heaping slice in front of him. He ate it all, and again, Aunt Jack gave him more. After three or four slices, Rob insisted that he was done and refused any more. Aunt Jackie liked Rob a lot, apparently, since that day she gave him a green patchwork quilt, made by her of course, which we still have. As we drove back to Glens Falls that evening, we were all so full and happy and commented on how delicious the meat pies were. Rob instantly made a face and shook his head, as in disgust. I asked what was wrong, and he said quite emphatically, that he did NOT like the meat pies at all! I said, "But you kept eating it! Why?" He said, "I just couldn't say no to Aunt Jackie!" I've told that story many times to my children as an example of how to eat what you are served with a smile, especially when you are a guest at someone's table. Rob has learned to love the meat pie, despite his initial dislike, and he ate two slices last night.
So yesterday, Mom and I made four of Mimi's meat pies. It was my first time making them, but it will not be the last! My house smelled like Aunt Jackie's all day, and I savored it. Mom's shared on her Facebook status that we were making meat pies, and it brought an immediate onslaught of comments, several from her cousins sharing their mutual love for the dish, and several from people requesting the recipe. Well here it is, minus the dough recipe that I am still forbidden to share. You can use your own family recipe for it, or buy some Pillsbury, we won't tell!
Mimi LeGault's Canadian Meat Pies (Tourtiers)
4 lbs ground pork
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 teas salt
1 teas pepper
1 medium,onion finely chopped
Add all ingredients to a large pot. Cover with water, and simmer about 2 hrs, breaking up the meat as it cooks and stirring it occasionally. Scoop off any foam that comes to the top. After 2 hours, adjust seasoning to taste. (We added more of everything!) Cook 1/2 cup of macaroni pasta, drain and add to the meat.
Lay a pie dough round in four pie plates. Evenly distribute the meat mixture atop the dough. (Don't drain the meat, despite the quantity of liquid. It will absorb into the dough, and make it amazing!) Top each with another round of dough. Cut a 1 inch hole in the middle of each, and brush lightly with an egg wash.
Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes until nicely browned.Serve with some sweet chili sauce on the side, and enjoy!
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