Dial up the delicious factor with a sensational stuffing that doesn’t take a backseat to your holiday bird. Savory and sweet, sage sausage and seasonal apples come together with artisan bread and fresh herbs for a side that will have your guests singing your praises. Delicious with our recipe for Lemon and Almond Baby Broccoli. Serves 8.
Ingredients
Sausage and Apple Stuffing
1 loaf artisan bread*, crust removed, cubed 1/2″
1/2 lb pork country sage sausage**
1 T olive oil
1/2 c butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 t salt
2 green apples, cored and diced 1/4″
1 t fresh ground black pepper
2 T fresh sage, chopped
1/2 T fresh thyme, chopped
2 c turkey stock or broth
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
Lemon and Almond Baby Broccoli
1 1/2 lb baby broccoli (broccolini), trimmed
4 qt water, boiling
2 T butter
1 med lemon, zested and juiced
1/4 t salt and pepper, to taste
2 T sliced almonds
Steps
Sausage and Apple Stuffing
Preheat oven to 350° and toast bread cubes until dry, approx. 20 min, being careful not to brown or burn. In a large skillet over med heat, sauté sausage in olive oil until just cooked through and crumbled (do not overcook). Remove from pan; place into a large bowl. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and celery until slightly softened, approx. 4 min. Add apples, salt and pepper and turn heat up to med-high, cooking quickly, stirring often, 2 more min. Add apple mixture to sausage in bowl. Add toasted bread, herbs, turkey stock and water chestnuts, tossing to combine. Let rest 5 min, while liquid is absorbed into bread. Press gently on mixture and add a little more stock if very dry. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish, cover and bake 30 min. Remove cover and bake 15 min more. Serve immediately.
Lemon and Almond Baby Broccoli
Blanch baby broccoli in boiling water until softened, approx. 2 min. In large pan over med heat, melt butter and add remaining ingredients. Remove broccoli from boiling water and toss with butter and almond mixture. Serve immediately.
* Or 1/2 loaf white bread plus 1/2 loaf whole wheat or multi-grain.
** Available in your Market Meat Department.
