**Discover the Delightful Flavors of Traditional French Cretons and Pâté de Campagne: A Culinary Journey Through History and Taste**
Embark on a culinary adventure with our exploration of traditional French cretons and pâté de campagne. These rustic dishes, deeply rooted in French culinary history, offer a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. From the rich, spreadable cretons, perfect for a hearty breakfast or lunch, to the delectable pâté de campagne, ideal for a sophisticated dinner or picnic, these recipes showcase the diverse culinary heritage of France. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to expand your repertoire, our comprehensive guide will lead you through the steps of creating these timeless dishes. Prepare to indulge in the authentic flavors of French cuisine as you embark on this culinary journey.
MOM'S FRENCH CANADIAN CRETONS
This is a traditional french canadian staple. You eat this on toast of choice, it's a high protein very nutritional breakfast favourite. I've been eating cretons since I was a child and everytime I visit my parents, my mother always makes this (one of my favourite dishes) for my husband! I try to make this dish as lean as possible using a combination of turkey and pork, if no turkey than chicken is good also. Portions on the meat is 2 to 1 and doesn't matter if you use more pork than turkey or visa versa, the outcome is always just a good as the last!
Provided by Chef Frenchflair
Categories Breakfast
Time 3h15m
Yield 3 1lb - 10 servings from each 1lb container, 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- On medium high heat brown pork and turkey in the oil and olive oil mix. Using this mix the meat cooks at a higher temperature without burning the oil. While browning add onions and minced garlic; once browned add garlic powder, cloves, cinnamon, and sage, cover the top of meat mixture with salt (I prefer seasalt or kosher) and same, twice around the pot with pepper (preferrably fresh ground). Mix the meat and seasonings and add in boiling water to meat mixture, enough to cover the top. Bring to boil, lower to simmer about 3hrs. or until water is reduced to almost nothing. approximately half way through cooking process adjust your mixture with alspice, no more than a teaspoon should be required. I go by taste. Now to properly adjust the mixture for spreading purposes add in enough bread crumbs to absorb the remaining liquid in the pot. Using a hand blender puree meat mixture. Divide into containers and let cool before freezing or putting in fridge. yeilds 3-4lbs. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 118.1, Fat 8, SaturatedFat 2.7, Cholesterol 40.4, Sodium 36.5, Carbohydrate 0.3, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.1, Protein 10.5
MY MOM'S CRETONS (AKA GORTON) AND TOURTIERE
There are as many recipes for Cretons as there are folks making it in Quebec. This recipe is my adaptation of my Family's recipe. Note; it does not contain milk.
Provided by Mike Pellerin
Categories Breakfast
Time 3h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- If your meat is too lean, cut up 1/4-1/3 pound Salt Pork, and render into lardons. Remove the salt pork bits, then continue the recipe, omitting the salt. Do not use bacon for the extra fat, bacon is smoked. You can use Lard, 1-2 T, in a pinch.
- Put all ingredients into a large sauce pot, just covering by an inch with the water.
- Mix together.
- Simmer on low, stirring frequently for 3-4 hours.
- Add water as needed to keep moist and from sticking.
- After the allotted cooking time you should have simmered the mixture down till there is about an inch of combined fat and water.
- Taste to check the seasonings. If your spices are old, you may need to re-spice the mixture
- (with the same amounts), then cook out the raw taste a bit.
- Transfer to a bowl to cool, stirring to keep fat suspended in meat.
- Serve warm on toast, or cold for sandwiches.
- For Tourtiere mix the same mixture with 3 0r 4 mashed (dry) potatoes,
- allowing them to suck up the moisture.
- Allow to cool, and ladle into pre-pared pie crusts.
- Egg wash and bake to specifications.
CRETONS
This French Canadian recipe is posted by request. The Lumber Jacks used to take this with them into the woods.
Provided by Diana Adcock
Categories Spreads
Time 1h16m
Yield 1 pound
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large sauce pan add all the ingredients except the bread crumbs.
- Using 2 knives mince the meat mixture as it beging to cook over medium heat.
- Cook for 1 hour stirring often and breaking up-you really want this minced fine.
- When the hour is up, add the bread crumbs and cook for 10 minutes more.
- Remove from heat, cool and place in the fridge in a clean container.
EMERIL LAGASSE'S CRETON
Creton is a french-canadian specialty; this type of "pork pate" is certainly not healthy, but really delicious! I like it spread on toast or crackers, along with hot mustard. Many in Quebec eat it at breakfast. Prep time includes chilling time.
Provided by Lennie
Categories Spreads
Time P1DT2h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large saute pan, add the pork and cook until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
- Add the onions and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the salt, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the milk and bread crumbs and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring to break up the meat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pork is very tender and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and all the liquid is evaporated, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste.
- Transfer to a decorative bowl or several smaller ramekins, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled and firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve with thinly sliced French bread or toasted French bread croutons.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 328.4, Fat 21, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 92, Sodium 503.1, Carbohydrate 7.2, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 2.8, Protein 26.1
MY MOM'S FRENCH CANADIAN CRETONS
A meat spread to eat with toast or crackers..not especially healthy but very traditional french canadian fare....and also delicious. It's really good with mustard on toast in the morning, or lunch...yummmmy.
Provided by hippychick
Categories Spreads
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Put the ground pork, minced onion and garlic,dry mustard, allspice, salt and pepper in a medium size pot and begin to cook on med. high heatuntil meat looses some of its pinkness -- add the can of soup and water and cook till the mixture begins to bubble. Lower heat and let simmer 1/2 hr, stirring often so it doesn't stick.
- When the mixture has cooked and cooled, put into food processor and pulse -- careful not to make it too fine -- you want it a wee bit chunky but spreadable.
- You can put it into small plastic containers.or as mom does -- freeze in ice cube trays -- then pop out just one at a time.
- It's a good idea to seal with bacon fat -- unhealthy but it does seem to give it good flavor and keep it moist.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 330.4, Fat 25.8, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 81.7, Sodium 247.6, Carbohydrate 3.7, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 0.9, Protein 19.9
CRETONS
This is a pork spread that used to be very popular amongst French Canadian working in the woods. This is best appreciated spread on toasts or plain multigrain bread.
Provided by Nans
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Ground Pork Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place the ground pork, milk, onion and garlic into a large saucepan. Season with salt, pepper, cloves and allspice. Cook over medium heat for about 1 hour, then stir in the bread crumbs. Cook for 10 more minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. Transfer to a small container and keep refrigerated.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 100.7 calories, Carbohydrate 3.5 g, Cholesterol 26.2 mg, Fat 6 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 44.5 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
MY MOM'S SWEET POTATO PIE
Mom's sweet potato pies are a vital part of my family's Thanksgiving. This is a recipe she inherited from her mother. The blender incorporates ingredients so well that this makes a creamy pie beyond belief. Mom prefers her sweet potato pie without any spices at all, but I usually add pinch or two of the spices listed below. Also, in lieu of the glaze, we opt for a creamy refrigerated whipped topping, but I've included glaze directions as an option.
Provided by Fauve
Categories Pie
Time 50m
Yield 2 pies
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place pie shells in 350°F oven for about 5 minutes, or till just barely brown; set aside.
- Place remaining pie ingredients in blender container and whirl till well-blended.
- Pour equally into the 2 pie shells.
- Place in 350°F oven; bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or till filling is set.
- (Note: if crust begins to get too brown during cooking, use strips of aluminum foil along the crust ridges to keep from over-browning) While pie is cooking, glaze may be prepared: Place ingredients for glaze into mixing bowl and blend with electric mixer until smooth.
- Drizzle glaze over pies while they are still warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2024.2, Fat 97.5, SaturatedFat 26.3, Cholesterol 248, Sodium 1493.8, Carbohydrate 257.3, Fiber 14.9, Sugar 120.2, Protein 31.1
Tips:
- Choose high-quality pork: Use a combination of fatty and lean pork for the best flavor and texture.
- Grind the pork yourself: This will give you more control over the texture of the crétons.
- Season the pork generously: Use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic, and other spices to taste.
- Cook the pork slowly: This will allow the flavors to develop and the pork to become tender.
- Stir the pork frequently: This will prevent it from sticking to the pan and burning.
- Add the onions and apples towards the end of cooking: This will prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Serve the crétons hot or cold: They are delicious on their own or spread on toast or crackers.
Conclusion:
Crétons are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give crétons a try!
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