Family Thanksgiving Stuffing

Thanksgiving is a very big deal in our family. Historically it was always the one holiday always centered in our home. It's filled with memories of family, warm recollections of small rituals, rich smells of roasting turkey, tables stuffed with food and surrounded by many friends and relatives. There's nothing richer as an experience my family can offer than to share Thanksgiving. And as far as my wife and children are concerned, nothing more exemplifies Thanksgiving than this stuffing recipe...it's been one of our traditions for years.

This recipe easily serves 20 with leftovers, but it scales well so do the math for your own gathering. It's great with chicken too!

A word of caution, the recipe contains some walnuts, so if you are allergic, please leave them out...it will be fine without.

Ingredients

2.5 cups each chopped celery, onion, mushrooms

1.5 cups chopped carrots

1 cup chopped garlic

2 lbs ground sweet Italian sausage meat browned

1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

8 tbs butter

24 oz chicken broth

5 bags stuffing croutons

Salt, pepper

1/2 cup grated walnuts

Preparation

Split butter between two large pots, melt and divide celery, onion, garlic, and carrot between them. Sauté over high heat for 3-5 minutes or until onion begins to become translucent.

In similar manner add mushrooms to each pot; cook until they begin to reduce in size.

Add sausage, blend and then add 12 oz broth to each pot. Simmer for 10 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add parsley and grated walnuts; blend, then add croutons. Mix. If too dry, and a bit more broth …. Should be moist but retain integrity of the cubes….

Stuff bird

Place remainder in a foil pan, cover and heat last 45 minutes in oven… uncover, drizzle pan drippings over top, and return to oven for 15 minutes more or until top begins to brown….

Eat… enjoy.

This freezes well and can then be reheated in the oven... store leftovers in foil packets for easy storage and reheat in a 350 degree oven covered for 30 minutes then uncovered for another 20 or until thoroughly heated.