Description
A hearty and flavorful French Canadian meat stuffing recipe combining ground pork and beef with aromatic herbs and spices, enriched with mashed potatoes for a comforting side or main dish perfect for holiday meals.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground pork
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- ¾ cup mashed potatoes (plain, leftover or freshly made)
- ½ cup water or broth (as needed for moisture)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the finely chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic until they are soft and translucent, which takes about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground pork and ground beef to the skillet. Cook while breaking it up as it browns until no pink remains. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Add Spices: Stir in dried sage, thyme, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices throughout the meat mixture.
- Incorporate Mashed Potatoes: Add mashed potatoes to the skillet and stir well. If the mixture feels too dry, gradually add water or broth a few tablespoons at a time until the stuffing has a moist, cohesive texture.
- Simmer and Meld Flavors: Reduce heat to low and let the stuffing simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to fully meld together and the moisture to be absorbed appropriately.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stuffing and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm as a side dish, stuffing for poultry, or paired with crusty bread as a main course.
Notes
- This traditional French Canadian meat stuffing is particularly popular during holiday seasons, especially served alongside turkey or chicken.
- The stuffing can be prepared ahead of time and reheated without loss of flavor.
- It freezes well, making it convenient for future meals.