Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
  4 onions (2 pounds), peeled and diced
  16 celery stalks, diced
  10 fresh sage leaves , chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried sage
  6 cups chicken stock , or canned chicken broth
  2 loaves stale white bread (about 36 slices), crust on, cut into 1-inch cubes
  2 teaspoons salt
  4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  3 cups coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (about 2 bunches)
  2 cups pecans , toasted and chopped (optional)
  2 cups dried cherries (optional) .