Thanksgiving Stuffing

I LOVE stuffing. LOVE it. Thanksgiving is NOTHING without stuffing. I used to use the old StoveTop standby, but then I began making it myself, and let me tell you-it's SOOOOOOOOOO much better!!!!!! So, here's a basic idea of what I do to make this traditional Thanksgiving side dish:

Lots of bread broken into small pieces (I use many different kinds--white, whole wheat, oat, rye--and mix them all together)
1/4 c Fresh Parsley (about 3 bunches)
2 tsp Thyme (dry--OR 1 Tbsp fresh)
3-4 stalks Celery (including leaves!), finely chopped
1 small Onion, finely chopped
3 c Chicken broth (3c water+3tsp chicken bouillon)
1/2 c Butter (as needed....probably quite a bit unless you like it lighter...but I like it buttery!!)

Break bread into small pieces and save in a super large mixing bowl.


(The kids love to help with this part!)

In a sauce pan, saute celery and onions in butter until slightly transparent. Add everything else (except bread). Bring to a boil. Add more butter! Ha! Pour over bread a little at a time until all the bread is moist. Not TOO soggy, but not TOO dry. :) Taste it to make sure it's good! (Yes, that sounds weird, but it really should taste good!!)



Pour into 9x13 baking dish (um, coated with butter...) and bake at 375F for about 15 minutes. Stir, then bake again until the top is slightly crisp and the bottom is slightly browned--about 15-20 min (unless you have the option of a fan assisted oven...then it's only 10 more minutes). Serve! Top with lots of homemade gravy and you have a gourmet dish!




I've also in the past added sausage. It is SO good! I don't do it anymore because I don't have any sausage available to me. If you want to use sausage, cook it with the celery and onions. :)