Marilyn Monroe’s Stuffing

• lb beef (ground round or other beef)↗1⁄2 lb
• tablespoon cooking oil1 tablespoon
• stalks celery, chopped↗4 stalks
• large onion, chopped↗1
• cups chopped curly parsley2 cups
• eggs, hard boiled, chopped↗2
• cups raisins↗1 1⁄2 cups
• cup parmesan cheese, grated↗1 cup
• cups chopped walnuts (or pine nuts or roasted chestnuts)1 1⁄4 cups
• teaspoons dried crushed rosemary↗2 teaspoons
• teaspoons dried crushed oregano↗2 teaspoons
• teaspoons dried crushed thyme↗2 teaspoons
• bay leaves↗3
• tablespoon poultry seasoning (or 1 teaspoon dried sage, 1 teaspoon marjoram, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon ground nu)↗1 tablespoon
• tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste↗1 tablespoon
• tablespoon pepper↗1

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Split the bread loaf in half and soak it in a large bowl of cold water for 15 minutes. Wring out excess water over a colander and shred into pieces.

2. 2

   Boil the livers or hearts for 8 minutes in salted water, then chop until no piece is larger than a coffee bean.

3. 3

   In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef in the oil, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat, so no piece is larger than a pistachio.

4. 4

   In your largest mixing bowl, combine the sourdough, livers, ground beef, celery, onion, parsley, eggs, raisins, Parmesan and nuts, tossing gently with your hands to combine. Whisk the rosemary, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper together in a bowl, scatter over the stuffing and toss again with your hands. Taste and adjust for salt. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use as a stuffing or to bake separately as dressing.