Ukrainian Christmas Eve Stuffed Fish

Ingredients

• 1 (4 lb)  whole fish (salmon, whitefish or pickerel )

STUFFING

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 cups dry breadcrumbs
• 1/3 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground pepper

GARNISH

• lemon wedge
• fresh parsley

Directions

1. 1

   Scale and clean fish.

2. 2

   Prepare stuffing: In a large fry pan, heat oil and sauté onion and celery until transparent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in breadcrumbs, sage, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper to taste and 1/4 cup water.

3. 3

   Stuff fish and sew up opening. Brush outside with oil. Place on a large baking sheet or jelly roll pan and bake in 400°F oven, allowing 10 minutes per inch of thickness (measured at the thickest point).

4. 4

   Serve on a hot platter, garnished with lemon wedges and parsley. Makes 8 servings.