French Canadian Tourtieres with Homemade Apple Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground organic pork
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
• 2 large pears, cored and diced
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups beef stock
• 4 cups of mashed potatoes or 1, 114 gram  package powdered roasted garlic mashed potatoes (I use Idahoan brand)
• pastry for 4 x 2 crust, 9" pies

Recipe will make four large pies.

Directions

1. Brown meat in a large dutch oven or frying pan. Drain off excess fat and place back in the dutch oven or large sauce pan.
2. Add onions, pear, spices, salt, pepper, and enough beef stock to cover mixture. Mix well.
3. Place over high heat and bring to a boil then reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes, stirring frequently until liquid just about gone..
4. Add mashed potatoes to meat mixture blending well.
5. Remove mixture from heat and let cool completely before filling the pies.
6. On lightly floured surface, roll out pastry into 1/4-inch thickness. Fit into 9-inch pie plate. Spoon in filling. Top with remaining pastry.
7. To make-ahead: overwrap in heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks; thaw in refrigerator. When ready to bake, brush with egg white. Cut steam vents in top. Bake in bottom third of 400°F (200°C) oven until hot and golden brown, about 50 minutes.

Serve warm with apple sauce on the side.

Apple Sauce Ingredients

• 4 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher.