Rappie pie is a traditional Canadian dish made with grated and boiled potatoes, broth, onions, and various meats. It is a comfort food popular in some southwestern regions of Nova Scotia and is considered a staple in Canadian local culture. The dish is made by soaking chopped potatoes in boiling water and squeezing out the water, then mixing them with flavored stock and meats. The meats used can vary widely, and some recipes call for toppings like butter or molasses.
Rappie pie is a dish commonly found in Canadian cuisine, particularly among cooks of Acadian descent. It typically consists of grated and boiled potatoes that are added to broth, onions, and various meats for flavor. Traditional rappie pie recipes typically call for the addition of a top layer of potatoes similar to other types of casseroles. Rappie cake takes its name from the French term patates râpées, which means “grated potatoes”, and is sometimes also called “bird of prey cake”. This dish is mostly found in some southwestern regions of Nova Scotia where it is a comfort food that is a popular part of Canadian local culture.
One of the first steps in making rappie pie is to soak the chopped potatoes in boiling water and then squeeze out as much of the water as possible once the potatoes have softened. Traditional Canadian cooks often wrap small amounts of grated potatoes in cheesecloth and squeeze out the water by hand. This step is considered physically demanding, but necessary for a good rappie pie. An alternative is to use frozen hash browns that have already removed the moisture. The finished potatoes are then mixed with flavored beef, chicken, or vegetable stock, according to the cook’s preference.
The meats used in rappie pie can vary widely depending on family recipes and local specialties. Many cooks use chicken, pork or beef, while others prefer freshly caught local seafood, such as clams. Acadians who add pork bits also often mix in the liquid pork fat for a more intense flavor. Chopped and cooked onions are the most common source of vegetable flavor in this dish, and many fans of this recipe believe it isn’t complete without some toppings like butter or molasses.
Some natives of Nova Scotia debate whether meat pie is best seasoned with molasses according to some French cooking traditions or with butter according to English ones. This reflects the region’s mixed heritage and preferences are generally mixed. Some newer versions of recipes call for adding meat pie with bacon bits or even ketchup as an alternative. Regardless of the best choices, many Acadians consider this dish a comfort staple in both homes and local family-owned restaurants. Family recipes are often passed down from one generation to the next.
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