Can you believe that Thanksgiving is here!!!!! This fall has just flown by and the holidays are upon us!!!!! We LOVE this time of year and look forward to all of the excitement that this time of the year brings!!!
Of course, who doesn't talk about food when discussing the holidays????? One of the interesting topics at the dinner table is what do you call the side dish made of bread, onions and celery ( at least that is how it is made at our house!!! We, here up North, call this dish STUFFING..... in the Southern part of this country, I am told it is referred to as DRESSING!!!!!
There are many different recipes that families hold as traditional for this dish....... when I was growing up, my mom's stuffing ALWAYS had good Italian sausage mixed in with the bread, onions and lots of celery..... Garlic, sage and, the most important spice according to my Sicilian, butcher father, fennel were critical to its flavor!!!
Below is a recipe for a little twist on the traditional recipe. This recipe comes from one of my great neighbors who brought this to our picnics for several years. This is a great "make ahead" recipe that will save you time and effort on the big day!!! It is always a big hit!!
May all of you experience the love of many friends and family this Thanksgiving...... we are so BLESSED.... may you be, too!!!!!!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Stuffing Balls
3/4 c. margarine or butter
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 c. celery, chopped
1 egg, beaten
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. water
Seasonings as desired..... we like poultry seasoning or sage, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, adn of course-- Fennel
8 c. bread cubes
Saute onions and celery in 1/2 c. margarine. Mix egg, 1/2 can soup, 1/2 c. water, and seasonings. Blend in onions and celery. Pour over the bread cubes and mix together. Form balls of stuffing and place in a large casserole. At this point you can refrigerate til you are ready to bake it. Mix rest of the soup and 1/4 c. melted margarine. Pour over the stuffing balls immediately before baking. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
