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Pâté chinois
Quebec's layered bake of beef, creamed corn and mashed potato
Pâté chinois is the weeknight family bake of Quebec, served in school canteens and home kitchens from Montreal to the Gaspé: a layer of seasoned minced beef, a layer of creamed corn, and a thick layer of buttery mashed potato, baked until the top is golden and served with ketchup or pickled beets. Its name is said to come from cooks who fed the Chinese workers building Canada's railway. The mistake is skipping the creamed corn in favour of whole kernels only; the creamed corn holds the layers together. Chef's tip: fluff the top of the mash with a fork so the ridges turn crisp.
- Total time
- 70 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
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Fresh ingredients (6)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Boil 2 ⅝ lb potatoes in salted water for 18–20 minutes until soft. Drain and mash with 1 ¾ oz butter, ¾ cup milk and ¾ tsp salt.
20 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 375°F. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan and cook 1 onion for 5 minutes. Add 1 ⅓ lb beef mince and cook for 8–10 minutes, breaking it up, until browned with no pink left (160°F). Season with ½ tsp black pepper and the rest of ¾ tsp salt.
15 minStep 3: Spread the beef in a 20 x 30 cm baking dish. Mix 15 oz tinned creamed corn and 7 oz sweetcorn kernels and spread over the beef, then top with the mashed potato. Ridge it with a fork and dust with ½ tsp paprika.
Step 4: Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden on top and bubbling at the edges. Rest 5 minutes and serve with ketchup.
30 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 26 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pâté chinois take?
- About 70 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
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