Lancaster County Bread Filling Recipes

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH POTATO AND BREAD FILLING

Steps:

• Boil potatoes in salted water. Saute onion and celery in oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Boil the giblets and neck in salted water to make stock.
• Moisten bread with milk. Smash the potatoes in a large bowl. (I use a small roasting pan, and then I roast the filling right in it.) Add all other ingredients including all spices and oil from saute. When adding the eggs, add a little of the hot mixture to the eggs first and beat well, so as to not scramble them when they go into the whole mix.
• Mix thoroughly. If it needs more moisture, add the stock, a little at a time. Taste to make sure enough spices are added. Add more salt and pepper and poultry seasoning, if needed.
• Bake at 350 degrees in a greased casserole dish or roasting pan until very hot and browned, usually one hour. Dot the top with pats of butter before putting into oven. I know some people chop the giblets and add to the filling, but I don't.

LANCASTER COUNTY BREAD FILLING

Steps:

• Heat the saffron in 2 to 3 tablespoons of the milk until its color is released (do not boil).
• Saute the chopped onion and celery in melted butter over low heat until soft.
• Add all the milk and saffron to the beaten egg and pour it over the bread.
• When the celery and onion are soft, mix all ingredients together.
• Bake in an uncovered buttered casserole at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, until it forms a crust.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH POTATO FILLING

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Boil potatoes in salted water for 1 hour or until they can easily be pierced with a fork. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of butter, add onions, and saute until just soft, add bread crumbs and stir over heat until lightly toasted. Melt remaining butter separately, and set aside.
• 2. Transfer potatoes to a large mixing bowl and add torn bread, onions and remaining ingredients. Whip together with a hand mixer on medium speed until mixture is almost smooth. Mixture should be a fluffy, mashed potato consistency, just a little bit more dense and rich. Transfer potato mixture to a glass 8x8" square baking dish. Drizzle remaining 2 Tablespoons butter over filling.
• 3. Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes or until filling has formed a light crust. Serve.