Rappi Pie

[macca]

Had some clients in the office earlier today- originally from Canada. They brought us some Rappi Pie- had it for lunch, and it was out of this world. Found some recipes on line- but no recipes on this site. before I begin looking at the on line recipes, i was wondering if anyone has a tried and true recipe. This is definitely comfor food at its finest, and the kind of meal I would love to make when stranded at home in a snow storm. TIA>

[macca]

Well- I am giving rappie pie a shot. Just put it in the oven- should be ready when the patriots kick off. Not difficult, just a lot of steps. I started at 9 this am. I used potatoes, not the frozen shredded potatoes. Hope i got all of the water out. Time will tell. Will post back the results. I think this may be the kind of dish that requires a few times to get right. Cant wait to see!

[CanadaGirl]

So how'd it go?

[macca]

It was delicious! Was a bit "droopier" than I wanted, but the flavor was there. I think I used too much broth. Really a pain getting the potatoes ready. Coincidentally, the two women who introduced me to this delicious dish came by the office yesterday. They love to cook and talk food, so we went out for lunch and talked rappie pie. They talked me through it, so I will be trying it again. The ladies told me that in nova scotia, you can buy blocks of potato ready to use- they are going to pick me up some on their next visit home. When they were kids, they had rappie pie made with rabbit, deer, and any other kind of meat in the house. They use chicken and pork now- I think I will add some pork next time. All in all, a success!

[pinehurst]

Checked out the recipe that CG posted. It looks a little in prep like the tourtiere my nana would make (from PEI)....except instead of chicken, she used pork and added turnip to the recipe. The tourtiere I think would be "heavier". Still, lovely recipe for rapure!

[macca]

Thanks. I'll bet pork would be good. One of the recipes I found called for salt pork before assembling the casserole.

[pinehurst]

Oh cook with salt pork and I'll follow you to the kitchen like a hungry beagle.

[macca]

Thats funny- but you gotta love salt pork, As a matter of fact, the salt pork is really the only ingredient for rappie pie that is not a common kitchen staple.

[CanadaGirl]

Every rappie pie I've ever had was made with salt pork. I think to not have it would kill any authenticity.

But try rappie pie!

[CanadaGirl]

Tried to edit, but can't. Salt pork isn't a staple any more, but would have most definitely been a staple when rappie pie was created.

[CanadaGirl]

The French spelling is "rapure". You might have better luck searching that. It is yummy and delicious. I live in Nova Scotia, which is home of rappie pie. We can buy the potatoes all ready to go at the grocery store, as well as premade in the freezer section. It's so good I've never bothered to make my own. I have helped my grandmother but I don't have a recipe, but this one (http://www.occasionsmagazine.ca/NSLC/FoodandDrinkRecipes/index.cfm?RecipeID=481&RecipeTypeID=102&issue=holiday_2008) or this one http://www.recipe4all.com/recipe/Pate.... looks right.

Comfort food at it's best. I don't like it with molasses, but many do, so give it a try.

[macca]

Thanks for the links. Similar to the ones I found. Never thought to use frozen potatoes-wonder if the frozen ones would affect the texture. All of the recipes I found did not have molasses, and I think I would prefer it without the molasses.

[CanadaGirl]

The molasses is used as a condiment - try it, as many people live it that way. Worst case scenario you don't like one bite :)

I also meant to say earlier - don't use bacon! That smokey taste is just wrong for rappie pie

[tochowchick]

The spelling is actually rappie pie....don't have a family recipe to share though...sorry...

[pinehurst]

Rappi as in broccoli rappi? If so, VERY intriguing!!!

[macca]

No- it is an acadian dish, with shredded potatoes, chicken and onions.It is cooked in a stock made from roasting the chickens, adding celery, onions and carrrots and making a stock. Then you shred the potatoes, squeeze out all the liquid. Then you add as much stock as there was liquid from the squeezed potatoes. Then you render some salt pork, and layer the chicken and potatos and bake for three hours. printed off one recipe, and it takes a good 7 hours or so to make. it was so good. I can use the recipe I have, was just curious if ;any of our Canadian chowhounds had a family recipe to share.

[King of Northern Blvd]

This question pops up here every now and then and goes mainly unanswered. I have been intrigued by this dish after a visit to Nova Scotia about 10 yrs ago. I haven't made an attempt at it yet. Let us know how your recipe works out!

[macca]

Thanks. Will be trying to make it for sure, but to me, it sounds like a perfect recipe to make when stranded at home in a snow storm!