by Parmalee Taff
In my childhood the chefs in our family “stuffed” the turkey cavity with a bread-based dressing because that’s what generations before them did.
When we were called to set the table, the stuffing in the turkey resting on the sideboard was overflowing with the savory aroma of stuffing. You could pull on the crispy exterior and get a combination of crispy, moist, spiced with buttery, sage-thyme-rosemary stuffing. At that moment the only thing better was the thought of stuffing smothered with turkey gravy.
Nowadays we cook our turkeys solo, no stuffing in their cavities, probably for health reasons or cooking timing. At first we baked it in casserole dishes. Then someone thought of stuffing balls! And that’s what I do, stuffing balls.
Stuffing Balls
Ingredients
3 loaves high quality sourdough
1 loaf of your favorite dark bread such as pumpernickel
3-4 eggs
1-2 sticks of butter
Celery chopped small
1 large onion chopped fine and sauteed in olive oil
3-4 T Bell’s seasoning
Boiling hot water
1 T Better Than Bouillion turkey base
Pepper to taste. Salt optional – BTB has salt
Directions
Buy the bread a week before making stuffing. Tear into small pieces. Spread on cookie sheets to dry out or use a very low oven, 250, to crisp. Set timers for yourself so you don’t burn it!
Sprinkle 2 T spice mixture into bread.
Add to bread: onion sautéed in olive oil, celery chopped small, butter cut into pieces.
Pour 2 C hot water over bouillion, mix. Pour over bread and stir until you’re pleased with readiness to turn into balls. You may need less or more liquid.
Crack 3-4 eggs into bowl, whip, mix into bread.
Lightly oil caserole dishes, or use parchment paper.
Form individual balls -larger than a golf ball and not quite as large as a tennis ball. Children love bite size balls.
Place balls in dish. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 about 20-30 minutes, remove cover and continue baking until the outside crisps and browns a little.
Use timers to remind yourself to check so as to prevent burning. If you must leave the kitchen, set timer on your phone and have it with you.
Enjoy! Parmalee
