WIW: Stuffles

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

½ C. chopped onion

½ C. chopped celery

¾ tsp. salt

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

½ tsp. poultry seasoning

¼ tsp. dried sage

6 C. dry bread cubes (about ½-inch square)

½ C. unsalted butter, melted

1 C. low-sodium chicken broth

Nonstick cooking spray

Note: Many kinds of bread will work here, including sandwich bread and baguette—alone or in combination. Cut any slightly stale pieces or ends into cubes and stash them in a zip-top bag in the freezer until you accumulate enough for this recipe. Thaw at room temperature for an hour before using.

 

Place the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté until the onion is soft and the celery is beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and dried sage and cook for 1 minute more to heat through. Remove the pan from the heat. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the butter and chicken broth, then pour that mixture over the bread. Add the vegetable mixture and stir. Preheat the waffle iron on medium. Preheat the oven on its lowest setting. Allow the stuffing mixture to sit for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid completely, stirring it once or twice. Coat both sides of the waffle iron grid with nonstick spray. Measure about 1/2 C. of the stuffing mix and place it on one section of the waffle iron. (This measure is approximate. Use enough of the mixture to slightly overstuff each section of the waffle iron. Waffle irons with deeper grooves may need a bit more stuffing.) Close the lid and press down to compress the stuffing. After 4 minutes, open the lid to check on the stuffle. It should be golden brown and cohesive. Use a silicone spatula to loosen the edges before sliding the spatula underneath the stuffle and lifting it out. (If you’re worried about the stuffle holding together, it may be easier to use two spatulas – one for the top and one for the bottom.) ‚Repeat Steps 6 through 8 for the remaining stuffing mixture. Keep completed stuffles warm in the oven.