POTATO, BACON, AND RYE BREAD STUFFING

Potato, Bacon, and Rye Bread Stuffing image

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Time 2h

Yield 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb sliced bacon
3 lbs medium red potatoes or 3 lbs yellow potatoes, scrubbed
1/4 cup bacon fat or 1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 celery ribs, chopped
6 scallions, chopped
1 tablespoon caraway seed
1 lb rye bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes and dried overnight
1 -1 1/2 cup turkey broth or 1 -1 1/2 cup chicken broth, as needed
salt
fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°.
Place the bacon strips in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet; bake in the upper third of the oven until crisp and browned, 10-15 minutes.
Some strips of bacon will cook more quickly than others, so remove them as they crisp and drain on paper towels.
Crumble when cool.
As the bacon fat renders and accumulates in the baking sheet, pour it off into a small heatproof bowl; reserve ¼ cup.
Place potatoes in a big pot and add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches; bring to a boil, then add salt to taste; cook until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife, 15-20 minutes.
Drain, rinse under cold water, and cool until easy to handle; cut into 1-inch cubes.
In a big skillet, heat the reserved bacon fat or the oil over medium heat.
Add in the celery; cook/stir often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the scallions and caraway seed; cook/stir occasionally, until the celery is beginning to brown, about 5 more minutes.
Scrape the celery mixture into a big bowl; add in the bread cubes, cubed potatoes, and crumbled bacon; toss to mix.
Gradually stir in about 1 cup broth until the stuffing is evenly moistened but not soggy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer mixture to a lightly buttered casserole dish, drizzle with ½ cup broth, cover, and bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes.