A staple at each holiday meal or special family gathering, our family has been making this stuffing since I was a child. This is not like any stuffing you’ve ever had before. One of the reasons I love to make this stuffing is not only because it reminds me of my Vavo (my grandmother), my mother and sister, but because my son Nathaniel now assists me every time I make it. Nathaniel helps me by squeezing out the water and stirring the stuffing. We love to cook together and share our day’s events! It is always a wonderful feeling when you can make people feel good with your culinary creations, but to include your family in the preparation is always priceless!

The My Carolina Today show and Cooking with Elise aired this recipe on the show this morning. I can’t tell you how I felt seeing my grandmother’s picture on television! Being able to share some of my grandmother’s recipes with everyone on television is such a blessing! As my son Alex and I watched the show together, with our shared bowl of popcorn, I told Alex that I could just imagine my grandmother in heaven calling her family members and friends over saying, in her Portuguese accent of course, “C’mon, c’mon, hurry up, thatsa my granddaughter and…THATSA ME AND MY RECIPE ON TELEVISION!” …makes me smile and tear up!

I hope you enjoy this recipe with your family during the holidays!

5 Portuguese or Italian breads (a day old)
3 lbs. 73 or 75% ground beef
1-bunch scallions, chopped
1 green bell pepper
2 tbsp. or a handful of fresh parsley, chopped
1 c. vegetable oil
3 tbsp. paprika or more for coloring
2 tbsp. each salt, ground black pepper or white, garlic powder, onion powder and red crushed pepper (wet, much less if dry flakes)

Soak bread and squeeze liquid out very well.

In large pan, cook remaining ingredients, except the bread, for 30 minutes stirring often. Take off heat. Add bread to pan and mix well with hands. Add 4 eggs and ½ c. lemon juice. Mix very well. Cook to sticky. When sticky (About 15 minutes) add paprika until color changes (orangey). Season with salt and white pepper. Spread in baking pan and bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. DELICIOUS!