Fig & pancetta American stuffing

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only

Classic American stuffing is chunkier than the British version, but just as delicious. These meaty stuffing balls are baked to crispy golden perfection

Prep:40 mins
Cook:1 hrs 10 mins

Serves 8
More effort

Nutrition per serving

kcal 341
fat 21g
saturates 9g
carbs 24g
sugars 11g
fibre 3g
protein 12g
salt 1.3g

Ingredients

75g butter, plus extra for greasing
150g diced pancetta
150g Italian sausages, chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 celery stick, finely chopped
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
2 garlic cloves, grated
150g ciabatta or sourdough bread, cut into small cubes
2 eggs
150ml chicken stock
150g dried figs, roughly chopped
2 tbsp roughly chopped parsley
100g cooked whole chestnuts, roughly chopped

Method

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 and grease a large baking tray. Fry the pancetta in a large, dry frying pan until crisp and golden, then transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. In the same pan, fry the sausages until lightly browned, then add to bowl with the pancetta. Melt all the butter in the same pan and fry the onion, celery, rosemary and garlic for about 15 mins until very soft
Meanwhile, put the cubes of bread on a baking tray and toast in the oven until pale golden. Cool, then blitz half the cubes in a food processor. Beat the eggs with the chicken stock.
Add the figs, parsley and chestnuts to the pan with the onion mixture. Stir for a few mins, then transfer to the bowl with the pancetta and sausage. Add all the bread and a really generous sprinkling of seasoning. Using your hands, toss all the ingredients gently together, then add the egg and stock mixture.
Divide the mixture into 16 balls and place on the prepared baking tray. Bake, covered with some greased foil, for 30 mins, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 mins until golden and crispy. Once you’ve taken the stuffing out of the oven, season again and serve.