You know when you have a food recipe that just cannot be improved on?

You know when there is a holiday recipe and it is so good that the holiday becomes your favorite one of the year, just because of that recipe?

Well, I have one of those recipes and I have Mom to thank. She has a recipe for stuffing that goes with Thanksgiving turkey as diamonds go with rings.

Here is how I have prepared my Moms’ stuffing recipe over the years that we have hosted the Thanksgiving Day Dinner.

INGREDIENTS:

1. Three sticks of butter. (It is the holidays, you know!)
2. Five-Six stalks of celery.(More if you like)
3. One large onion. (More if you like)
4. Four 4 ½ ounce cans of mushrooms.
5. Poultry Seasoning 5 tsp.
   
6. Four loafs, 20 oz. White Bread
7. Five eggs
8. Salt and pepper to taste.
9. One Cup Chicken Stock
   

DIRECTIONS:

1. Coarsely chop the celery and onions.
2. Start to melt half the butter in a large fry pan.
3. As the butter starts to melt, add the celery and onions to the pan, season with salt and pepper.
4. Sautee the celery and onions until medium soft.
5. Add  the other half of butter.
   
6. Add the four cans of mushroom pieces, drained.
7. Heat through.
8. Cube the bread and add to an aluminum-roasting pan, one loaf at a time.
9. Add 1 tsp. of poultry seasoning to the loose loaf of bread, for 4 tsp. total.
10. Once all four loafs and poultry seasoning are in the pan, add sautéed vegetables.
11. Add remaining 1 tsp. of poultry seasoning and a pinch more for good measure.
    
12. Using impeccably clean hands and a spatula, mix well.
13. Crack and add all five eggs to the pan as the binder. The mix will look smaller at this point.
14. Mix well.
15. Form into orange-sized stuffing balls and transfer to baking sheet.
16. Spoon chicken stock over stuffing balls for some moisture. If your turkey is finished cooking, then use the drippings from the roasting pan in place of chicken stock.
    
17. Bake in a 325 degree F oven for 20-30 minutes.

That is it. You will not believe how good the smells are as you saute the celery and onions. In addition, you will not believe how much fun it is getting the stuffing mix all blended together with your hands. Then, it is even more fun forming the balls. And, I know I always say this, but I promise that this recipe will become a favorite of yours as well.

Try to eat just one! Happy Thanksgiving!