Description
Classic Italian stuffing balls blend savory breadcrumbs with herbs, cheese, and ground meat for a delightful appetizer. Golden-brown spheres promise a crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior that guests will adore.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) dried bread cubes
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (115 g) butter
- 1 cup (150 g) celery, diced
- 1 cup (150 g) onion, diced
- 2 tsps poultry seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
Instructions
- Bread Preparation: Dehydrate bread cubes by air-drying or lightly toasting, creating a perfect base for absorbing flavors and maintaining structural integrity.
- Vegetable Sautéing: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, celery, and garlic over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and aromatic, releasing their inherent sweetness.
- Seasoning Fusion: Introduce dried sage, thyme, salt, and pepper to the sautéed vegetables, developing a complex and robust flavor profile. Remove from heat, allowing ingredients to harmonize.
- Mixture Assembly: Combine bread cubes with sautéed vegetable mixture, folding in parsley and Parmesan cheese to elevate the overall taste and texture.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually incorporate chicken broth, gently mixing until bread becomes evenly moistened without becoming soggy, adjusting liquid quantity as needed.
- Binding Process: Fold in beaten egg to provide structural stability and create a cohesive mixture that holds together effortlessly.
- Shaping and Preparation: Form uniform spherical portions, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet with sufficient spacing for consistent heat distribution.
- Baking Technique: Preheat oven to 375F (190C), positioning rack centrally. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure golden-brown exterior and thorough internal heating.
- Finishing Touch: Optional butter brushing during final baking moments enhances color and adds a luxurious richness to the stuffing balls.
- Serving Presentation: Allow stuffing balls to rest briefly, presenting them as an elegant side dish or sophisticated appetizer with culinary finesse.
Notes
- Dry Bread Strategically: Air-dry or lightly toast bread cubes to prevent soggy stuffing, ensuring optimal moisture absorption and crisp texture.
- Balance Moisture Carefully: Add chicken broth gradually, folding gently to avoid oversaturating bread, maintaining ideal consistency without becoming mushy.
- Control Vegetable Sautéing: Sauté onions, celery, and garlic precisely until translucent to develop deep flavor without burning or losing aromatic qualities.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by substituting bread with gluten-free alternatives, using vegetable broth for vegetarian version, or incorporating herbs based on personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg