Canadian Christmas Ragout: Hearty Pork & Beef Stew Recipe 🍲🎄

French Canadian Ragout (Fricot) 🇨🇦

Description:
This hearty dish is a cherished tradition among French Canadian families, especially during the festive Christmas season. Originally crafted to sustain laborers through harsh Canadian winters, it’s a flavorful blend of pork, beef, and aromatic spices. While the recipe includes a historical note about consuming pork with skin and fat for added warmth, it’s advised to skip this step unless you’re in dire need of extra insulation! Best prepared in advance, this dish freezes exceptionally well and reheats beautifully, making it a convenient option for busy holiday gatherings.

Cook Time: 3 hours
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 835.3
• Fat Content: 42.8g
• Saturated Fat Content: 16g
• Cholesterol Content: 236.7mg
• Sodium Content: 555mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 49.9g
• Fiber Content: 2.8g
• Sugar Content: 3.6g
• Protein Content: 58.4g

Instructions:

1. Prepare Homemade Browned Flour:

   • Preheat oven to broil.
   • Spread about 3 cups of all-purpose flour in a large skillet.
   • Place the skillet in the oven on the middle rack.
   • Let the flour brown for approximately 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   • Repeat this process, stirring every 5-6 minutes, until the flour reaches a light caramel color. Be careful not to burn it.

2. Cook Pork:

   • In a large pot, combine pork pieces, studded onion, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
   • Cover with water, ensuring it’s about two inches above the ingredients.
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the meat is tender.
   • Once cooked, remove the meat from the pot and allow it to cool before handling.
   • Remove the skin and excess fat from the meat, leaving it in large chunks, then refrigerate.

3. Prepare Broth:

   • Let the broth cool overnight in the refrigerator so the fat congeals on the top, making it easier to remove.

4. Make Meatballs:

   • In a bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and egg. Mix well.
   • Shape the mixture into meatballs, each about one inch in diameter.
   • Place the meatballs on a foil-lined baking pan and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 15 minutes.
   • Once cooked, refrigerate until ready to use.

5. Final Assembly:

   • The next day, return the reserved pork meat to the pot and pour enough degreased broth to cover it by about 3 inches.
   • Bring the mixture to a light boil.
   • In a separate bowl, mix flour with cold water to create a medium-thick paste.
   • Gradually add spoonfuls of the paste to the boiling broth, stirring continuously.
   • Allow the sauce to simmer until it reaches your desired thickness.
   • Add the prepared meatballs to the pot and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes until heated through.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the French Canadian Ragout hot alongside boiled or mashed potatoes.
   • For a traditional touch, consider serving it with tourtiere, another classic French Canadian dish.

This rich and comforting ragout captures the essence of French Canadian culinary heritage, making it a beloved addition to any holiday table. Enjoy the warmth and flavor it brings to your festive celebrations! 🎄🍽️