Cretons de Quebec Recipe

This is another French Canadian specialty from my childhood growing up in Montreal!  Cretons de Quebec is a sort of pork pate served most commonly as a spread for toast at breakfast.

Personally, I always thought it had an acquired taste and  I never saw the need to acquire it. My sister, however, LOVES the stuff!

When I was in Quebec City a while back, I tried it again. I think it’s important to try foods again once in a while as our taste buds do change. It was good but still not spectacular.

Then, I learned that many of the locals in Quebec like to add some mustard or jam over top when they eat. Let me tell you, that made all the difference for me.

Blackberry jam and Cretons de Quebec are a pretty tasty combination. Since then, I’ve tried it with apple butter. The apples and pork go together really well. 

Cretons de Quebec Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground pork (try it with ground turkey if you’d prefer!)
• 2 cups milk
• 1 medium onion – finely diced
• 1 clove garlic – minced
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 pinch ground allspice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup bread crumbs (depending on how thick you want the mixture to be)

Instructions:

Cook the meat in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown.  Note: you can drain off some of the fat if you prefer, but if it’s too dry, you won’t end up with the creamy texture you’re looking for. Some even add extra lard and one person I spoke with said they add bacon fat!

Add the onion, garlic, and spices and cook until onions have softened slightly. Add the milk and bread crumbs and continue to simmer over low heat for 2 hours. 

Be sure to stir occasionally until the milk mostly evaporates and the mixture starts to thicken. 

Remove from the heat and taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.

This is served cool or even cold from the fridge (which is where it should be stored).  Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving to allow it to firm up. 

5 from 1 vote

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Cretons de Quebec

Cretons de Quebec is a sort of pork pate served most commonly as a spread for toast at breakfast. Try it with blackberry jam or apple butter.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine French Canadian

Keyword pate

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 137 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork try it with ground turkey if you’d prefer!
• 2 cups milk
• 1 medium onion – finely diced
• 1 clove garlic – minced
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 pinch ground allspice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup bread crumbs depending on how thick you want the mixture to be

Instructions

1. Cook the meat in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown.  Note: you can drain off some of the fat if you prefer, but if it's too dry, you won't end up with the creamy texture you're looking for. Some even add extra lard and one person I spoke with said they add bacon fat!

2. Add the onion, garlic, and spices and cook until onions have softened slightly. Add the milk and bread crumbs and continue to simmer over low heat for 2 hours.
3. Be sure to stir occasionally until the milk mostly evaporates and the mixture starts to thicken.
4. Remove from the heat and taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.
5. This is served cool or even cold from the fridge (which is where it should be stored).  Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving to allow it to firm up.

Nutrition Facts

Cretons de Quebec

Amount Per Serving

Calories 137 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 56mg2%

Potassium 180mg5%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 66IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 57mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.