MY MOM'S CRETONS (AKA GORTON) AND TOURTIERE

My Mom's Cretons (Aka Gorton) and Tourtiere image

Provided by Mike Pellerin

Time 3h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 lbs ground pork butt (or ground pork)
1 medium onion (chopped fine)
1 tablespoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon clove
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups water (you may not need it all)
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

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.