Experience the rich, comforting flavors of Quebec with this traditional Cretons French Canadian Spread for Toasts. Made with tender ground pork, creamy whole milk, and a warm blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, this hearty spread is a breakfast staple that's perfect for adding a touch of rustic elegance to your mornings. The slow-cooked mixture, thickened with breadcrumbs and chilled to perfection, delivers a luscious, savory spread thatβs both satisfying and versatile. Serve it cold or at room temperature, generously slathered on crusty toast, for an authentic taste of French Canadian cuisine. Whether itβs a cozy weekend brunch or a way to elevate your everyday breakfast, this cretons recipe is a must-try for fans of rich, flavorful spreads.
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, and sautΓ© until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the ground pork, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Pour in the milk and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the breadcrumbs, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking.
After 1 hour, uncover the pot and adjust the seasoning to taste. If the mixture seems too moist, cook uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.
Remove the pot from the heat and allow the cretons to cool slightly.
Transfer the cretons to a serving dish or storage container, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until fully chilled to allow the flavors to meld and the spread to firm up.
Serve the cretons cold or at room temperature, spread generously on slices of toast. Enjoy!
Calories |
2191 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 136.1 g | 174% | |
| Saturated Fat | 55.6 g | 278% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 547 mg | 182% | |
| Sodium | 3846 mg | 167% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 82.4 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 33.6 g | ||
| Protein | 155.3 g | 311% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.7 mcg | 29% | |
| Calcium | 860 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 7.9 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 992 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.