Thanksgiving Dressing

My Aunt Anita has been making the following dressing for Thanksgiving every year since before I was born!

Mom's Thanksgiving Dressing

1 1/3 cups shortening (yes, you have to use shortening! It is for one meal for one day - it won't kill you!)
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped celery
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
2 2/3 tablespoons dried parsley
3 cups hot water or broth from turkey
2 loaves of white sandwich bread
1/2 pound of fresh mushrooms sliced (my aunt never puts these in because my cousin hates them - if your family likes them put them in)

The evening prior - tear bread into small pieces while watching one of the National Lampoon's Family Vacations. (If you don't do this part it won't taste the same!) Sprinkle salt, pepper, dried parsley, and poultry seasoning over the bread pieces. You could use a cookie sheet to do this on. Turn a few times so the bread becomes stale and dried. Leave this out overnight.

The next day, melt shortening in a skillet, add onions, celery and mushrooms (if using) Saute over low heat for 15 min. Put bread pieces in a 9X13 pan. Pour mixture over the bread pieces. Add hot water or broth and mix thoroughly.

Bake at 350 for 20 min. Makes one 9X13 pan.