My Mom's Cretons Aka Gorton and Tourtiere

Discover the heartwarming flavors of "My Mom's Cretons Aka Gorton and Tourtière," a traditional French-Canadian recipe brimming with rich spices and comforting textures. This versatile dish blends ground pork, aromatic onions, and garlic slowly simmered in milk and broth before being infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Enjoy the velvety spread as a savory pâté on toast or crackers, or transform it into a golden, flaky tourtière for a stunning meat pie centerpiece. Perfect for celebrations or cozy family dinners, this nostalgic recipe offers the ideal balance of creamy, spiced filling and buttery crust. Whether served hot or chilled, this classic cretons recipe is a timeless nod to both heritage and homemade comfort.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Ground pork
• 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cloves
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground allspice
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 2 9-inch pre-made pastry rounds Pie crust (optional, for tourtière)
• 1 large Egg (optional, for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon Water (optional, for egg wash)

Directions

Step 1

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, add the ground pork, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the pork is fully browned and no pink remains, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Pour in the milk and chicken broth, and stir to combine. Add the salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice. Stir well.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for about 1 hour. The liquid will gradually reduce as the flavors meld together.

Step 4

After 1 hour, stir in the breadcrumbs to thicken the mixture. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture is thick and spreadable.

Step 5

Remove from heat and allow the cretons to cool slightly. Transfer the mixture to a bowl or ramekin, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set. Serve chilled or at room temperature with toast or crackers.

Step 6

Optional tourtière variation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the prepared cretons mixture evenly into a 9-inch pie crust. Cover with the second pie crust and seal the edges. Use a sharp knife to cut small vents in the top crust.

Step 7

If desired, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the top of the pie crust with the egg wash for a golden finish.

Step 8

Bake the tourtière in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2289.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5363.7

Total Fat 320.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 121.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 1060.0mg	0%
Sodium 8548.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 313.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.7g	0%
Total Sugars 37.2g
Protein 292.0g	0%

Vitamin D 254.7IU	0%
Calcium 1022.2mg	0%
Iron 23.2mg	0%
Potassium 1428.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.3%

Protein: 22.0%

Carbs: 23.7%