Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere (Meat Pie)

This recipe is special for me.  My meme passed this secret tourtiere recipe down to my mother and my mother to me.  Was the recipe in the family longer than this?  I'm not sure.  I decided to share this very special recipe with you and the rest of the contestants on the Real Women of Philadelphia contest even though I was told the recipe was a secret.  I have to think now that if my meme were alive today, she would be so pleased to see me on "tv" sharing her special recipe with the world.  Especially now when so many young women haven't had the great fortune of being shown how to cook or simply would rather rely on pre-packaged foods.  I have to believe that she would rather her recipe be shared and loved by all.

If you have the opportunity to try this recipe, I hope it becomes one of your hand-me down treasures :)

Danielle :)