10.19.2011

Slow-Cooker Panettone Stuffing

When yet another big cardboard box arrived on our doorstep, Chris was wondering what I had bought now (I may or may not have a little Internet shopping problem...). Fact is, it was more treats from the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. This time, we received not one but two large packages of Bauducco Panettone - one was with Hershey's chocolate chips, and one with Sun-Maid raisins and candied fruits. In case you're not sure what panettone is, it is an Italian bread-like cake that is usually served around the holidays. Once we opened the box, our creative cooking juices started to flow.





A few days later we planned to make a pork loin for dinner. Sick of plain old veggies or potatoes, we wanted a side dish with pizzazz! Something different! That's when it came to us. We'd make stuffing out of the panettone!



It was a brilliant idea, really, and we're quite proud of the results. The basis of the recipe is my grandmother's bread stuffing, but we made a few adaptations. For the bread, we (obviously) used the panettone with raisins and candied fruits. Of course, this had an inherent sweetness that needed some balance. To bring in savory flavors, we added onions, celery, sage leaves, and chicken broth, and we cooked it in a slow-cooker to make life easy.

Yummy, yum, yum! Sweet, savory, moist and nicely browned, this one is a keeper, and may become our go-to holiday stuffing. It paired nicely as a side to our pork and apples that we had browned then braised in white wine, sage and a dash of port. 

Break up panettone



Saute onions, celery and fresh sage in butter


Add chicken broth and allow vegetables to soften


Mix vegetables and panettone together


Allow to cook three hours in a slow-cooker



Slow-Cooker Panettone Stuffing

Ingredients:

1 26.2-ounce package Bauducco Panettone with Sun-Maid Raisins and candied fruits
1 stick unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
5-6 fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 teasoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Break the panettone into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onions, celery and sage and cook until softened, about four minutes. Add chicken broth and continue to cook, about three minutes more. Pour broth mixture onto bread pieces and mix well. Rub sides of slow-cooker with butter or cooking spray to avoid sticking, then pour stuffing into slow-cooker. Cook on high for one hour. Stir well, then turn slow-cooker to low. Cook another two hours on low.  

13 comments:

Cucina49 said...

It's getting to be slow-cooker time of year, isn't it--I just posted a recipe using mine last night! What a clever use for the panettone. I love sweet/savory combinations.

Eliotseats said...

Ooh---I bet this was absolutely delicious. I have used pannettone for French (or rather, Italian) toast. I love this savory take.

Happy When Not Hungry said...

Wow this looks delicious! Nice job :-)

Lacy said...

I would have never thought of using panettone for stuffing. But it looks and sounds amazing, might just have to try this one out! Yum!!

Erin said...

Delicious!! I love doing stuffing in the crock pot. So nice to put it in there, have it smell good all day, and then enjoy it with dinner!

Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. said...

This stuffing is all kinds of delicious!! And in a crockpot! I would have never thought to cooking stuffing that way!

Jen at The Three Little Piglets said...

That is a great idea! The bread would make a pretty fantastic bread pudding for breakfast as well...

Anonymous said...

I'm not a huge fan of panettone, but I always wind up with a few during the holidays. What a great way to use it!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I have never seen panettone as stuffing before. This is a yummy recipe and I can totally imagine to use it for thanksgiving dinner.:-)

Dreams of cakes said...

Clever and tasty idea! Thanks for sharing.

Lomo said...

Lovely!! I make my stuffing in the crock pot every year...i gues that makes it more of a dressing. I have never used panettone though! Will have to remember this one!

nancy at good food matters said...

wonderful idea. I've made sweet bread puddings with leftover pannetone, never savory stuffing. thanks for the inspiration!

Confessions of a Culinary Diva said...

Fantastic Idea! Bet it was very tasty. Will be trying this in our kitchen!