Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Balls

Hope you had a great snowy weekend!

I have to admit, that I don't object to the snow this weekend…other than the horrendous drive home last night from basketball.  The kids asked to go outside and play when we got home at 9 pm and they were surprised that I agreed.

Then, today the kids were outside playing for hours with various neighbor kids…which was wonderful in itself and great because it was many more hours than they would have played outside had there not been snow on the ground.

I know it's a bit early, but it feels festive and gives people of all ages a great reason to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.  

At least Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, so the holidays are nearly upon us and I have a fabulous upgrade to an already delicious holiday staple.

Picture this scenario...

What if you told your family, "Hey, we're not having stuffing at Thanksgiving this year…."

Can you imagine the dissatisfaction?!?!

Until, you announce, "We're having Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Balls instead!"

They might forgive you then!

These are just amazing, 

but don't take my word for it…

give them a try yourself! 

Just start with softening 1 medium, chopped onion in 1/2 cup of butter. 

While the onion is getting started, the bacon got pre-fried a bit too. 

I have enough bacon-wrapped experience

 to know that the final dish is just a little better 

if the bacon has been pre-fried a bit first.

Provides some of that fabulous bacon-y texture that we all love while cooking off some of the fat.  

The key in pre-frying is to ensure that it doesn't get too done.  

It still has to be soften enough to be pliable,

not so brittle that it crumbles.  

If that happens, just throw it in with the stuffing as the next best option!

Back to the onions and butter. 

Add 3 cups of chicken broth and bring it to a boil. 

Once boiling, remove from heat and

 add about 7 cups of cubed and seasoned stuffing. 

If you are all about the home made stuffing, 

I commend you. 

Problem is that we don't generally eat much bread around here, 

so I didn't have anything to stale.  

Stir the stuffing and broth well. 

And just keep stirring because it will take a while for the stuffing to absorb the moisture. 

Feel free to give it a few minutes, 

(check on the bacon)

and come back for more stirring. 

It is OK if the stuffing begins to break up. 

It needs to be rather soft to form into the stuffing balls. 

Scooping out about 1/2 cup of stuffing, 

form into balls. 

These are about a single serving size. 

However, anyone who really loves that Thanksgiving food-coma,

may want more than one of these. 

All 9 stuffing balls, got their own little piece of heaven, uh, I mean bacon. 

Secured in place by a toothpick. 

Baked for 350 F for 30 minutes. 

I can't really say enough good things about these….

If you ever are tempted to jump off the gluten bandwagon, 

these would be the best possible reason!  

Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Balls
Recipe:

Prep Time : 15 minutes

Bake Time : 30 minutes

Serves: 9

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Butter

1 medium onion - chopped

3 cups chicken broth

7 cups of seasoned and cubed Stuffing Mix

1/2 lb bacon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

Saute onion in butter over medium heat in a stock pan. 

Add 3 cups of chicken broth, bring to a boil. 

Remove from heat and add the stuffing mix.

Allow to sit and soak up the liquids. 

Lightly, pre-fry the bacon. 

Using approximately 1/2 cup of stuffing, form into a ball. 

Wrap with bacon and secure with a toothpick. 

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.