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POTATO AND BREAD FILLING (Stuffing or Dressing)

http://teriskitchen.com/padutch/potfill.html

SERVES 6 to 8

This Pennsylvania Dutch recipe for Potato and Bread Filling (filling is the PA Dutch name for a dressing or stuffing) has been a family favorite since the beginning of time. I don't recall a Thanksgiving without it. We used to stuff the turkey with it, but now I just bake it in a separate casserole, and it goes well with any kind of meat or poultry. The recipe can be made in any amount and using any ratio of potatoes to bread. Read the notes below for specifics.

INGREDIENTS

3 medium potatoes

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup chopped onion

3 celery ribs, chopped

4 cups cubed homemade style white bread, about 10 slices

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits

Preheat oven to 350° F. Generously butter a 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Set aside. Cook potatoes in water until soft enough to mash. Mash and beat in milk, salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Melt the 8 tablespoons of butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and celery; cook until just soft, about 10 minutes. Add to potatoes, using slotted spoon. Sauté bread cubes in same skillet until brown and crispy, adding more butter if needed. Transfer bread to potatoes. Add the eggs, parsley, salt and pepper to potato mixture. Mix thoroughly; transfer to baking dish. Dot the casserole with butter bits. (Casserole can be prepared up to 2 days ahead, refrigerated, and brought to room temperature before continuing.) Bake in oven until hot, about 35 minutes. Cover with foil if top browns too much.

Notes: This recipe is extremely versatile. You can add up to 8 more potatoes or 2 cups of bread without changing other ingredients unless needed for moisture or seasoning. The bread could be browned in the oven, which is how I do it now. Alternately, it doesn't need to be browned at all, which my grandmother often did, but we prefer it browned one way or the other. I often add some dried sage and thyme for a slight poultry seasoning taste. And, when served with turkey or chicken, we always add some stock or pan juices to the top before baking. Just have fun and enjoy. By the way, leftovers are terrific! And, although the old folks wouldn't dream of it, you can use half the amount of butter to keep it a little healthier and less rich. It will still be very good. (I do that all the time, but don't tell my mother because she hasn't noticed the difference.)