Recipe: French Canadian Cretons π¨π¦
Description: This traditional French Canadian recipe for Cretons, a savory spread, originates from the days when lumberjacks would take it with them into the woods for sustenance. Made with ground pork, milk, onions, garlic, and a blend of spices, it’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for spreading on toast or crackers.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 pound
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup milk
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 clove
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
Instructions:
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Prepare Ingredients: Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients. Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic. Measure out the milk, bread crumbs, and spices.
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Cooking Process: In a large saucepan, combine the ground pork, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, clove, and allspice.
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Mince the Mixture: Using two knives, begin to mince the meat mixture as it cooks over medium heat. Break up any large chunks to ensure a fine texture.
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Simmer: Allow the mixture to cook for approximately 1 hour, stirring often to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking. The goal is to achieve a finely minced consistency.
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Add Bread Crumbs: After an hour of cooking, add the bread crumbs to the mixture. Stir well to incorporate and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes.
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Cool and Store: Once cooked, remove the Cretons from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Transfer it to a clean container and refrigerate until completely chilled.
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Serving Suggestions: Cretons is traditionally served spread on toast or crackers. It can also be enjoyed as a filling for sandwiches or as a topping for baked potatoes.
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Enjoy: Serve chilled and savor the rich, savory flavors of this classic French Canadian dish.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 2158.1
- Fat: 111.4g
- Saturated Fat: 42.5g
- Cholesterol: 460.9mg
- Sodium: 3888.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 133.7g
- Fiber: 9g
- Sugar: 14.1g
- Protein: 146.2g
Recipe Notes:
- Cretons can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. You can add more or less salt, pepper, or spices to suit your liking.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of bread crumbs or even add a touch of maple syrup for a hint of sweetness.