Sausage, Dried Cranberry and Apple Stuffing

1 pound mild bulk breakfast sausage
4 tablespoons butter
3 cups sliced leeks, white and pale green parts only, cleaned well (about 2 large leeks)
2 Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped
1 cup chopped celery with leaves
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 cup dried cranberries, rehydrated in boiling water for 15 minutes and drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
6 cups boxed bread cubes (croutons)
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 to 3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Saute the sausage in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, crumbling coarsely with the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage and drippings to a large bowl.

Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, apples, celery and poultry seasoning to the skillet and saute until the leeks are soft, about 8 minutes. Mix in the drained cranberries, sage and rosemary. 

Add the mixture to the sausage, then mix in the croutons and parsley. Next add the chicken stock a little at a time until the stuffing is very moist. Be sure not to overdo it; it shouldn't be mushy. Season with salt and pepper. Place in a casserole dish. (The stuffing can be made to this point 2 days before Thanksgiving, refrigerated.)

Bake in a 14-inch oval or 9 by 13-inch rectangular casserole dish and place, uncovered, in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until the top is crispy and the center piping hot. Remove and serve immediately.

*Cook's Note: If stuffing a turkey, the stuffing must be cold before being placed in the bird.

Serves 8 - 10

Foodnetwork.com

Wild Rice, Apple, and Dried-Cranberry Stuffing

4 cups water
1 cup wild rice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 pound crusty white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (6 cups)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter or reserved fat from turkey
2 cups diced (1/3 inch) onion
2 cups diced (1/3 inch) celery
2 cups diced (1/3 inch) apple
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried, crumbled
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh marjoram or 1/2 teaspoon dried, crumbled
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup dried cranberries (5 ounces)
1 cup turkey stock or chicken broth

Bring water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then add rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is tender and most grains are split open, 1 to 1 1/4 hours (not all liquid will be absorbed). Drain well in a colander and spread out in a baking pan to cool completely.

Put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.

Spread bread cubes in a shallow baking pan and bake in upper third of oven until dry, about 20 minutes.

Melt 1 stick butter in a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat, then cook onion and celery, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add apple and cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in herbs, pepper, and remaining teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with rice, bread, and dried cranberries.

Increase oven temperature to 450°F and butter a shallow 3-quart baking dish (13 by 9 inches).

Spread stuffing evenly in baking dish and drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter. Bake, covered tightly with foil, in upper third of oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake until top is browned, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Makes 8 - 10 Servings

Gourmet
November 2003

Farmhouse Herbed Stuffing

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 medium onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 3 cups)

6 stalks celery with leaves, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 2 1/2 cups)

1 (14-ounce) package seasoned bread stuffing cubes

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon celery salt

1 teaspoon dried sage, crumbled

1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 cups hot Homemade Turkey Stock or canned turkey stock, plus 1/2 cup more if baking all of stuffing outside of turkey

In 12-inch, heavy skillet over moderate heat, heat butter until hot but not smoking. Stir in onion and celery, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 15 to 20 minutes. (Vegetables can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Reheat before continuing: In 12-inch, heavy skillet over moderately high heat, sauté, stirring often, until heated through, about 5 minutes.)

Transfer to large bowl and add stuffing cubes, parsley, celery salt, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir in 1 1/4 cups hot stock.

If using to stuff turkey: Use immediately to fill cavities and spread remainder in baking dish as directed in recipe .

If baking entire recipe as side dish: Preheat oven to 350°F and butter 3-quart casserole or 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Transfer stuffing to dish and drizzle with 1/2 cup hot stock. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is slightly crisp and golden, about 10 minutes longer. Serve immediately.

Variations:
Sausage and Sage Stuffing: In large, heavy skillet over moderate heat, sauté 1 pound bulk pork sausage, breaking up pieces with spoon, until meat shows no sign of pink, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to large bowl. Proceed with recipe, adding ingredients to bowl with sausage and substituting 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage for dried rosemary and sage.

Dried Apricot and Pecan Stuffing: Dried fruit are better than fresh in stuffing because the latter get soggy with long baking. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans on rimmed baking sheet and toast, stirring occasionally, until browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop. In medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups diced dried apricots and hot water to cover. Soak until apricots plump, about 30 minutes, then drain well. Proceed with recipe, tossing apricots and pecans with other ingredients in large bowl. 

Epicurious Test-Kitchen Tips:

Warm, moist stuffing is an optimal environment for bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli to multiply, so it's important to follow safe procedures. Be sure to make the stuffing at the last minute so it can go into the bird warm. This helps it move above the "danger zone" (the optimal temperature range for bacteria growth) more quickly during roasting. Stuffing baked outside of the turkey can be spread in the baking dish and refrigerated for a few hours while the turkey roasts, but it should be made on the same day as baking.

•  Stuffing baked outside of the turkey won't be soaked in the turkey's juices, so extra stock is drizzled on top to keep it moist. 

Makes 8 Servings

Epicurious

November 2007

Andouille Sausage and Corn Bread Stuffing

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 pound andouille sausages,* cut into 1/3-inch pieces
1 12-ounce package breakfast-style bulk sausage
3 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped red bell peppers
1 cup chopped green onions
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
12 ounces dry corn bread stuffing mix
1 1/2 cups (about) canned low-salt chicken broth

Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add all sausages and cook until brown and cooked through, breaking up bulk sausage with back of fork, about 5 minutes. Add onions, celery and red bell peppers. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Stir in green onions, thyme, hot pepper sauce and sage. Transfer sausage mixture to large bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Stir stuffing mix into sausage mixture. Season with salt and pepper.


To bake stuffing in turkey:

Loosely fill main turkey cavity with stuffing. Add enough broth to remaining stuffing to moisten lightly (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup, depending on amount of remaining stuffing). Generously butter glass or ceramic baking dish. Spoon remaining stuffing into dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down. Bake stuffing in dish alongside turkey until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover stuffing. Bake until top is just crisp and golden, about 15 minutes.

To bake all of stuffing in baking dish:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 15x10x2-inch, 13x9x2-inch or 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish, using size called for in recipe. Add enough broth to stuffing to moisten (about 3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups.) Transfer stuffing to prepared dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down; bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is crisp and golden, about 20 minutes longer.

*Smoked pork-and-beef sausages that are sold at specialty foods stores. Smoked bratwurst, kielbasa or smoked Hungarian sausages can be substituted.


Serves 10-12

Bon Appétit November 1999

Mid-Atlantic Mushroom and Chestnut Stuffing

1 1/2 1-pound loaves old-fashioned white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 16 cups)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3 large onions, chopped
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
5 celery stalks, chopped
1 1/2 pounds fresh chestnuts, roasted, shelled, chopped (about 3 cups) or 3 cups steamed chestnuts in jar, very coarsely chopped (about 15 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 1/2 cups (about) canned low-salt chicken broth


Preheat oven to 400°F. Divide bread between 2 large baking sheets. Bake until golden, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Transfer to large bowl.


Melt butter in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add onions and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add mushrooms; stir until mushrooms begin to soften and release juices, about 5 minutes. Add celery and stir 2 minutes. Mix contents of skillet into bread cubes. Mix in chestnuts, thyme, rosemary and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

To bake stuffing in turkey:
Mix 1/2 cup chicken broth into stuffing. Fill main turkey cavity with stuffing. Mix enough chicken broth into remaining stuffing to moisten (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken broth, depending on amount of remaining stuffing). Spoon remaining stuffing into buttered baking dish. Cover stuffing with buttered aluminum foil. Bake stuffing in a dish alongside turkey until heated through, about 45 minutes.

To bake all stuffing in pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Mix 1 1/2 cups broth into stuffing. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover with buttered foil. Bake until heated through, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Bon Appétit November 1994

Serves 16

Wild Rice Dressing with Sausage, Corn and Leeks

2 cups wild rice (about 12 ounces)

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups chopped leeks (about 2 medium; white and pale green parts only)
6 ounces smoked sausage (such as kielbasa), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 10-ounce package frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 cup converted white rice
2 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 fresh Italian parsley sprigs plus 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth

Cook wild rice in large saucepan of boiling salted water for 10 minutes. Drain well. Set aside.


Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and sausage; sauté until leeks are soft, about 4 minutes. Add corn; sauté 1 minute. Add wild rice, white rice, thyme, parsley sprigs, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 4 1/2 cups broth; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes. (Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to baking pan; cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover with foil and refrigerate. Add 1/2 cup broth or water, then cover and rewarm in 350°F oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.)

Transfer dressing to large bowl. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Bon Appétit November 2000

Serves 10

Northwestern Wild Mushroom Stuffing

2 cups hot water
1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms

1 1 1/2 to 1 3/4-pound loaf unsliced egg bread, crust trimmed, bread cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 16 cups)
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter

4 cups coarsely chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 3 medium leeks)
1 cup chopped shallots (about 8)
1 1/4 pounds crimini or button mushrooms, sliced
1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup coarsely chopped toasted husked hazelnuts
3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage or 2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
2 large eggs, beaten to blend

3/4 cup canned low-salt chicken broth

Combine 2 cups hot water and porcini mushrooms in medium bowl; let stand until mushrooms are soft, about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving soaking liquid. Squeeze porcini dry; chop coarsely.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Divide bread between 2 baking sheets. Bake until beginning to brown, about 15 minutes. Cool. Transfer to very large bowl.

Melt butter in heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add leeks, shallots, and crimini and shiitake mushrooms and sauté until golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Mix in celery and porcini; sauté 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to bowl with bread cubes. Mix in parsley, hazelnuts, thyme and sage. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill porcini soaking liquid and stuffing separately.) Mix eggs into stuffing.

To bake stuffing in turkey:
Fill main turkey cavity with stuffing. Combine broth and 1/2 cup reserved porcini soaking liquid in large glass measuring cup. Add enough broth mixture to remaining stuffing to moisten (about 3/4 to 1 cup broth mixture, depending on amount of remaining stuffing). Spoon remaining stuffing into buttered baking dish. Cover with buttered foil. Bake stuffing in dish alongside turkey until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is crisp, about 15 minutes.

To bake all stuffing in pan:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Mix 3/4 cup reserved porcini soaking liquid and 3/4 cup broth into stuffing. Transfer stuffing to prepared dish. Cover with buttered foil and bake until heated through, about 1 hour. Uncover and bake until top is crisp, about 15 minutes.

Bon Appétit November 1994


Serves 16