This Quebec Tourtiere is popular in the Charlevoix, Saguenay, Lac Saint-Jean and Côte Nord regions.

In a large glass or stainless steel bowl, combine meat, onions, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate 8 to 16 hours.

In another bowl, place the potatoes, cover with cold water about 1 inch above the potatoes. Refrigerate 8 to 16 hours.

Drain the potatoes, reserving the soaking water
Set the oven rack in the bottom of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
Line one large 6 quarts deep dish pan or three 2 quarts deep dish with pie dough. Cover bottom with a layer of meat mixture, top with a layer of potato and continue alternating up to 1 inch from the edge. Add the herbs if using them and pour in the soaking water at the level of the meat and potato mixture. If there is not enough soaking water, top up with cold water.
Brush the edge of the dough with the egg mixture, cover with a sheet of dough sealing by pressing gently. Make one 2-inch hole in the center of the tourtiere or two for a large pan and insert a chimney made of aluminum foil into the hole. Brush with the egg around the hole and seal with a rope of dough pressing gently.
Bake in the oven for 1 hour, reduce the oven heat to 250 °F and cook for 6 hours.
