I can’t tell you how sick I am of this stuffing. Every year I suggest a multitude of alternatives, and every year Bruce insistsinsistsinsists on the same old/same old. Truth be told, I could do without the turkey dinner altogether. It takes forever to make and twice as long as that to clean up. And what a messy cleanup it is what with the roasting pan, the syrupy mess made by the sweet potatoes and graving drippings that manage to find their way all over the house.
But being the wonderful wife that I am (and enjoying the crispy wings…and sandwiches for the next eight days’s worth of lunches and dinners), I go ahead and make turkey with stuffing and all the trimmings every holiday season.
Oh, I am wonderful….
Here’s what I do: Saute one huge diced brown onion in oil with five or six stalks diced celery. Remove from pan and add salt and pepper. Now saute at least six Italian sausages, meat removed from casings. Cook until done, and add to the onion mixture. Just for a laugh I thought I’d trick Bruce and add a few diced Granny Smith apples this time around (I thought it was an improvement, not sure he noticed), which I sauted in the same pan with some butter (obviously, get rid of the sausage grease first). When the apples are soft, return onion mixture to the pan and add bread–I used La Brea’s stuffing this year and I thought it was a giant ripoff; go ahead and use Marie Callender’s or whatever is on sale–and at least half a stick of butter plus at least one can (yes, “can”…not homemade though you surely could) of chicken stock. Cook on low heat until well mixed. Refrigerate until ready to stuff bird.
Now, I divide stuffing lovers into two groups: those who prefer it cooked inside the bird so it stays moist and the turkey’s natural juices further flavor it and those who prefer it baked in a casserole until it’s all dried out and very nearly tasteless. I rest my case.
That turkey looks beautiful!!!
By: Fallon on December 21, 2009
at 5:34 pm
You are a very, very good wife. I hope he brings you something nice and shiny for Christmas, because you deserve it!
By: TheKitchenWitch on December 21, 2009
at 5:48 pm
Wow Catherine, you really beat me here. I am such a chicken when it comes to stuff the bird. I should be brave huh?
Look gorgeous!
By: elra on December 21, 2009
at 7:19 pm
You are truly wonderful! That does look like a whole lot of work, but it looks delicious!
By: Julie on December 21, 2009
at 9:39 pm
you are a very wonderful wife and the turkey is also wonderful!
By: peachkins on December 22, 2009
at 2:05 am
Although I do not care for turkey and like you make one anyway, I do love a good stuffing. I like it in a casserole but NOT cooked to death, soft and moist on the inside and crispy on top. You are a good wife and deserve a parade in your honor- that’s what I tell my husband all the time- I am still waiting for my parade.
By: RobinSue on December 22, 2009
at 3:55 am
The turkey looks gorgeous! I’ve got to try to make the stuffing inside the bird one of these days. Sounds like it would be really good.
By: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie on December 22, 2009
at 5:37 am
Dear Catherine this look fantastic and yummy, many times at Christmas we made turkey too, your look fabolous, I whish you a lovely and nice Christmas and wonderful holidays,,, Hugs! gloria
By: Gloria on December 22, 2009
at 2:55 pm
What an awesome stuffing! I can see why he likes it so. My Mom makes a sausage stuffing every year that we all love – she couldn’t believe how we descended upon it like vultures this year. It’s crazy good. Just like this.
By: Reeni on December 22, 2009
at 7:01 pm
I love sausage in stuffing. It’s hard to eat it any other way! I’m a stuffing fanatic and this looks fantastic. You’re a trooper for making the same version every year!
By: Phoo-D on December 23, 2009
at 8:13 am
this is sooooooo greatt1!! happpy holidays and merry Christmas!!
cheers!
nora@ffr
By: nora@ffr on December 23, 2009
at 11:09 pm
Merry Christmas Catherine!! I hope you, Bruce and Emma have a wonderful Holiday!
Here’s to a fantastic foodie 2010!!
By: Jenn@slim-shoppin on December 24, 2009
at 6:46 am
Happy Holidays!
By: Hélène on December 24, 2009
at 12:41 pm
Popping in to wish you a happy holiday season.. XXOO!
By: donna on December 26, 2009
at 6:42 am
Well you did an awesome job. Your turkey looks so golden and gorgeous.
By: Monica H on December 28, 2009
at 10:03 am