In the realm of comfort food, stuffing often takes center stage. This recipe transforms a classic dish by introducing the sweet, tropical flair of Hawaiian sweet rolls and a delightful coconut topping, creating a balance of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Our recipe requires a few ingredients that may not be in every pantry. Hawaiian sweet rolls are a key component, infusing our stuffing with their distinctive sweetness. They can typically be found in the bread aisle of most supermarkets. Unsweetened coconut flakes, used in our topping, can usually be found in the baking aisle. Lastly, we are using honey ham which can be found in the deli section.
Ingredients Needed for Sweet Roll Stuffing
Unsalted butter: A creamy fat used for cooking, sautéing, and baking.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil used in cooking.
Sweet yellow onion: Adds a slightly sweet flavor to the stuffing.
Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds a robust flavor.
Red pepper flakes: Adds a touch of heat.
Red bell pepper: Gives the dish a sweet, mild pepper flavor.
Yellow bell pepper: Slightly sweeter than the red bell pepper, adds color and flavor.
Honey ham: Adds a sweet and salty flavor.
Hawaiian sweet rolls: Adds a distinctive sweet flavor to the stuffing.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Black pepper: Adds heat and depth to the dish.
Eggs: Binds the ingredients together.
Chicken stock: Adds rich, savory flavor.
Unsweetened coconut flakes: Adds a tropical note to the dish.
Poppy seeds: Gives a slight crunch and nutty flavor.
Oranges: Adds tangy sweetness, used in both the stuffing and garnish.
Scallions: Adds a fresh, slightly pungent flavor.
One reader, Hermine Damon says:
The sweet roll stuffing recipe was a game-changer for my holiday dinner! The combination of flavors was incredible, and the coconut topping added a delightful crunch. It was a hit with my family, and I'll definitely be making it again. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
Techniques for Preparing Sweet Roll Stuffing
How to caramelize onions: Sauté the sliced onions in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until they turn translucent and start to caramelize, which takes about 15-20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low if the onions start to burn.
How to make the coconut topping: In a small bowl, combine the shredded coconut, poppy seeds, and orange juice, mixing well. Stir the mixture every 10 minutes or so as the stuffing bakes to ensure even distribution of flavors.
How to let the stuffing rest: After removing the stuffing from the oven, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before topping it with scallions and orange zest. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful dish.
How To Make Sweet Roll Stuffing
Switch up your usual sides for the holidays and try this sweet roll stuffing of honey ham and Hawaiian rolls for a dish that’s topped with coconut flakes.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspvegetable oil
- 1sweet yellow onion,diced
- 3clovesgarlic,thinly sliced
- ½tspred pepper flakes
- 1red bell pepper,seeded and diced
- 1yellow bell pepper,seeded and diced
- 2cupshoney ham,(300 g), diced
- 24hawaiian sweet rolls,cut into 1-inch cubes, toasted
- 2tspkosher salt
- 1tspfreshly ground black pepper
- 3large eggs
- 1cupchicken stock,(240 ml)
- 4tbspunsalted butter,melted, plus more for greasing
For Coconut Topping:
- ½cupunsweetened coconut flakes,(50 g), shredded
- 1tbsppoppy seeds
- 2oranges,juiced
For Garnish:
- 3scallions,thinly sliced
- 2orange zests
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
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In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until translucent and starting to caramelize. Reduce the heat to medium-low if the onion starts to burn.
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Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and continue to cook for about 5 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
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Add the red and yellow bell peppers and ham to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the peppers are tender.
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Transfer the toasted Hawaiian rolls to a very large bowl. Pour the onion and ham mixture over the bread cubes and season with the salt and pepper.
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In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, chicken stock, and melted butter until well combined.
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Pour about ½ cup of the stock mixture at a time over the bread mixture and stir until well combined.
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Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish. Gently press the mixture down so the stuffing sits below the rim of the dish. Cover with foil.
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Bake the stuffing for 45 minutes.
Coconut Topping:
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In a small bowl, combine the shredded coconut, poppy seeds, and orange juice and mix well. Stir every 10 minutes or so as the stuffing bakes.
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Uncover the stuffing and top with the soaked coconut mixture, sprinkling evenly over the entire surface. Leave any excess orange juice behind in the bowl.
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Return the stuffing to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the coconut is light golden brown and crisp.
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Remove the stuffing from the oven and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then top with the scallions and orange zest.
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Serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 511.34kcal
- Fat: 16.10g
- Saturated Fat: 6.13g
- Trans Fat: 0.18g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.15g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.13g
- Carbohydrates: 70.50g
- Fiber: 4.60g
- Sugar: 5.67g
- Protein: 21.19g
- Cholesterol: 65.49mg
- Sodium: 1006.46mg
- Calcium: 149.73mg
- Potassium: 374.33mg
- Iron: 4.58mg
- Vitamin A: 74.52µg
- Vitamin C: 55.22mg
Helpful Technique for Making Sweet Roll Stuffing
When preparing the stuffing, it's important to add the chicken stock mixture gradually to the bread mixture. This allows the bread to absorb the liquid evenly, resulting in a stuffing that is moist but not soggy. If you pour all the liquid in at once, the bread at the top might become too saturated while the bread at the bottom remains dry. Also, when toasting the coconut topping, keep a close eye on it as it can burn quickly. Stirring it every 10 minutes ensures even toasting and a beautiful golden brown color.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Sweet Roll Stuffing Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and sauté the onions, garlic, and peppers in advance to save time when assembling the stuffing.
Use pre-cooked ham: Opt for pre-cooked ham to skip the step of cooking the ham in the recipe, saving valuable time.
Bake in advance: Consider baking the sweet roll stuffing a day ahead and reheating it before serving to free up time on the day of your event.
Efficient assembly: Have all the ingredients prepped and ready before assembling the stuffing to streamline the cooking process.
Quick mix: Whisk the egg, stock, and melted butter together in advance to speed up the mixing process when preparing the stuffing.
Substitute Ingredients For Sweet Roll Stuffing Recipe
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can add a subtle tropical flavor to the dish and works well as a dairy-free alternative.
vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can add a rich and fruity flavor to the recipe.
sweet yellow onion - Substitute with white onion: White onions can provide a slightly sharper flavor and are a suitable substitute in this recipe.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a convenient substitute if fresh garlic is not available.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can provide a milder heat and a smoky flavor to the dish.
red bell pepper - Substitute with orange bell pepper: Orange bell peppers can offer a similar sweetness and crunch to the recipe.
yellow bell pepper - Substitute with green bell pepper: Green bell peppers can provide a slightly different flavor profile while still adding color and crunch.
honey ham - Substitute with smoked turkey: Smoked turkey can offer a similar smoky and savory flavor to the dish.
Hawaiian sweet rolls - Substitute with brioche rolls: Brioche rolls can provide a rich and slightly sweet flavor, similar to Hawaiian sweet rolls.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a suitable alternative for seasoning.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can provide a milder and slightly earthy flavor to the recipe.
eggs - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a vegan-friendly substitute for eggs in this recipe.
chicken stock - Substitute with vegetable stock: Vegetable stock can provide a similar depth of flavor and is a suitable vegetarian alternative.
unsalted butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee can add a rich and nutty flavor to the dish and is a suitable alternative for cooking.
coconut flakes - Substitute with sliced almonds: Sliced almonds can provide a similar crunch and nuttiness to the dish.
poppy seeds - Substitute with sesame seeds: Sesame seeds can offer a similar texture and a nutty flavor to the dish.
oranges - Substitute with tangerines: Tangerines can provide a similar citrusy flavor and juiciness to the recipe.
scallions - Substitute with chives: Chives can offer a similar mild onion flavor and are a suitable alternative for garnishing.
orange zests - Substitute with lemon zests: Lemon zests can provide a similar citrusy aroma and flavor to the dish.
Presentation Ideas for Sweet Roll Stuffing
Elevate the Hawaiian sweet rolls: Gently warm the rolls and arrange them in a beautiful, overlapping pattern on the plate to create a visually appealing base for the stuffing.
Garnish with scallions and orange zest: Finely chop the scallions and sprinkle them over the top of the stuffing for a pop of color and freshness. Grate the zest of an orange over the dish to add a vibrant citrus aroma.
Create a coconut and poppy seed crust: Sprinkle the coconut and poppy seed mixture over the top of the stuffing, ensuring an even distribution to add a delightful crunch and visual contrast.
Consider portioning with precision: Use a ring mold to create a neat, compact portion of the sweet roll stuffing, ensuring each plate receives an equal and visually appealing serving.
Incorporate artistic drizzling: Drizzle a reduction of orange juice around the edge of the plate to add a touch of acidity and elegance to the presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the beauty of simplicity by allowing some of the plate to remain uncovered, creating a visually striking and balanced presentation.
Highlight the colors of the dish: Consider using a neutral-colored plate to allow the vibrant colors of the sweet roll stuffing, bell peppers, and scallions to stand out and captivate the eye.
Emphasize texture: Place the sweet roll stuffing on the plate with care, ensuring that the coconut and poppy seed crust is visible and the texture of the dish is highlighted.
Add a touch of greenery: Consider incorporating a small, edible microgreen or herb sprig as a delicate finishing touch to add a touch of freshness and elegance to the dish.
Essential Tools for Making Sweet Roll Stuffing
- Skillet: A skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. It typically has low sides and a long handle, making it perfect for sautéing ingredients.
- Baking dish: A baking dish is a deep, oven-safe dish used for baking sweet and savory dishes such as casseroles, lasagnas, and desserts.
- Large bowl: A large bowl is essential for mixing and combining ingredients for recipes such as stuffing. It provides ample space for tossing and blending ingredients together.
- Medium bowl or liquid measuring cup: A medium bowl or liquid measuring cup is used for whisking together liquids and can also be used for measuring and pouring liquids into recipes.
- Small bowl: A small bowl is perfect for combining ingredients for toppings or dressings, such as the coconut topping in this recipe.
- Foil: Foil is used to cover the baking dish during the initial baking process to help the stuffing cook evenly and retain moisture.
- Oven: An oven is used for baking and cooking the sweet roll stuffing to perfection.
- Food processor: A food processor can be used for chopping or pulsing ingredients such as onions, garlic, and peppers to save time and effort in the preparation process.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Sweet Roll Stuffing
- Let the sweet roll stuffing cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled stuffing to an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the stuffing:
- Wrap the cooled stuffing tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Label the container with the date and contents.
- Frozen stuffing will keep for up to 3 months.
- To reheat refrigerated stuffing:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Place the stuffing in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
- Remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking for a crispy top, if desired.
- To reheat frozen stuffing:
- Thaw the stuffing overnight in the refrigerator.
- Follow the reheating instructions for refrigerated stuffing.
- Alternatively, you can reheat smaller portions of stuffing in the microwave:
- Place the desired amount of stuffing in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Always ensure the reheated stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving to ensure food safety.
How To Reheat Leftover Sweet Roll Stuffing
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the leftover sweet roll stuffing in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the stuffing is heated through and the Hawaiian sweet rolls are crispy on top. This method helps to retain the moisture in the stuffing while also crisping up the top layer.
For a quicker reheating option, use your microwave. Place a portion of the leftover stuffing in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the stuffing is heated through. Stir the stuffing halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating. The damp paper towel helps to prevent the stuffing from drying out during microwaving.
If you have a bit more time and want to add some extra flavor to your leftover stuffing, consider reheating it in a skillet on the stovetop. Melt a tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover stuffing to the skillet and stir occasionally, allowing the stuffing to heat through and develop a slight crispiness on the bottom. This method adds a nice buttery flavor and texture to the reheated stuffing.
For a unique twist on reheating, try making stuffing frittata. In a large bowl, whisk together 4-6 eggs, depending on the amount of leftover stuffing you have. Add the stuffing to the bowl and mix well. Melt some butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, then pour in the egg and stuffing mixture. Cook for a few minutes until the bottom is set, then transfer the skillet to a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the frittata is set and golden brown on top.
If you want to maintain the original texture and flavor of the stuffing as much as possible, consider reheating it using a steamer. Place the leftover stuffing in a heat-proof dish that fits inside your steamer basket. Fill the bottom of the steamer with water and bring it to a boil. Place the dish with the stuffing in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 10-15 minutes, or until the stuffing is heated through. This gentle reheating method helps to preserve the moisture and flavor of the sweet roll stuffing.
Interesting Fact About Sweet Roll Stuffing
The sweet roll stuffing recipe is a delicious way to repurpose leftover sweet rolls and create a flavorful side dish. It combines the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls with savory ham and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. This dish is a great way to add a unique twist to traditional stuffing and can be a hit at holiday gatherings or potlucks. Plus, the addition of coconut topping adds a delightful crunch and citrusy flavor. It's a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed on its own or as a complement to a variety of main dishes.
Is Making Sweet Roll Stuffing at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this sweet roll stuffing recipe is quite high. The ingredients, such as sweet yellow onion, bell peppers, and honey ham, are commonly found and reasonably priced. The use of Hawaiian sweet rolls adds a unique touch without breaking the bank. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20-$25, making it a budget-friendly option. Overall, this recipe offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures, earning a solid 8 out of 10.
Is Sweet Roll Stuffing Healthy or Unhealthy?
This sweet roll stuffing recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the unhealthy side due to several factors:
- The use of Hawaiian sweet rolls, which are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates
- Honey ham, which is often processed and high in sodium
- Butter and vegetable oil, both high in saturated and unhealthy fats
- Coconut flakes, which are high in saturated fat
However, the recipe does include some nutritious ingredients, such as onions, garlic, bell peppers, and eggs, which provide vitamins, minerals, and protein.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Swap the Hawaiian sweet rolls for whole grain bread or rolls to increase fiber and nutrients
- Use a leaner protein source, such as turkey or chicken breast, instead of honey ham to reduce sodium and fat
- Replace some or all of the butter with heart-healthy olive oil
- Reduce the amount of coconut flakes or use unsweetened, raw coconut to minimize added sugars and unhealthy fats
- Increase the proportion of vegetables in the stuffing, such as adding celery, carrots, or mushrooms, to boost the nutrient content and fiber
- Use low-sodium chicken stock to control salt intake
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious stuffing that still retains its delicious flavor profile. The key is to focus on whole, minimally processed ingredients and to be mindful of the sources of fat and added sugars in the recipe.
Editor's Opinion on This Sweet Roll Stuffing Recipe
The sweet roll stuffing recipe is a delightful twist on a classic dish. The combination of Hawaiian sweet rolls, honey ham, and a touch of coconut topping creates a unique and flavorful stuffing that is sure to impress. The use of red and yellow bell peppers adds a pop of color and freshness, while the orange zest garnish provides a bright citrusy aroma. The balance of sweet and savory flavors in this recipe is truly exceptional, making it a standout dish for any occasion.
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Why trust this Sweet Roll Stuffing Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, combining sweet Hawaiian rolls with savory honey ham and a medley of colorful bell peppers. The addition of coconut topping adds a unique twist, while the use of orange juice infuses a refreshing citrus note. With carefully balanced seasonings and a methodical approach to preparation, this stuffing promises to elevate any meal with its irresistible aroma and delectable taste. Trust in the harmonious blend of ingredients and the meticulous instructions to create a memorable and satisfying dish.
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