Sourdough-Sage Stuffing

Source: Saveur, November 2000

16 tbsp butter
3 medium yellow onions, peeled and finely chopped
1 head celery, trimmed and finely chopped
1 large bunch parsley, stems trimmed and leaves finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh sage leaves
salt and freshly ground pepper
10 cups fine fresh sourdough breadcrumbs
1/2 cup chicken stock (or more, as needed while baking)

Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions, and cook without browning, stirring often, until very soft, about 20 minutes. Add celery, parsley, and sage. Generously season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes more. Remove from heat, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Add bread crumbs to onion-celery mixture, and toss until well combined. Add chicken stock, and mix until stuffing is just moist but not packed together. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Spoon warm stuffing into turkey, truss, and bake. Or put stuffing in a buttered baking pan, and bake until hot and golden on top, about 30-45 minutes.