Recipe: Old-Fashioned Potato-Bread Stuffing

OLD-FASHIONED POTATO-BREAD STUFFING
Source: Vegetarian Kitchen/Vegetarian Thanksgiving
6 servings

This hearty stuffing recalls Thanksgivings of days gone by. You need not stuff it into anything, but simply enjoy it as a side dish.

5 or 6 medium potatoes, cooked or microwaved in their skins
1 cup organic low-fat milk, rice milk, or soymilk
4 average slices whole-grain bread
1 1/2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash or other salt-free herb-and spice seasoning mix
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Once the cooked potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them and place them in a large mixing bowl. Coarsely mash the potatoes with 1/2 cup ofthe milk.

Cut the bread into 1/2-inch dice. Place them in a small mixing bowl and pour the remaining milk over them. Soak for several minutes.

In the meantime, heat the oil in a medium-sized skillet. Add the onion and celery and saut over low heat until the onion is lightly browned and the celery is tender.

Combine the onion and celery mixture with the mashed potatoes in the large mixing bowl. Stir in the soaked bread, parsley, and seasoning mix. Season to taste with salt and lots of pepper. Pour the mixture into a well-oiled, 2-quart baking dish. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is a crusty golden brown.