by Dave Donovan
Some would say that it’s not the turkey that makes Thanksgiving dinner; it’s the stuffing that does it! I’ve never heard anyone say “Boy, my mom used to make the best turkey!” But stuffing is, well, stuffing is what nostalgia and memories are all about. When you remember back to your family’s dinners, no doubt the stuffing is what comes to mind. What is it about this mixture of bread, spices and vegetables that makes our mouth water at the sight of it and makes our hearts long for days gone by?
Recipes for stuffing are as varied as the people who make it. Everyone has their own special touch or ingredient. It’s what makes each family’s recipe unique and individual. Some people like apples in their stuffing, others like it on the spicy side, and still others like it crispy on the edges.
I have what I believe is arguably a great recipe for stuffing. It packs a lot of flavor and the texture is ideal. It’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next Thanksgiving dinner, or any dinner for that matter! Who says you have to wait for a holiday to enjoy stuffing?
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons margarine
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1 cup diced, unpeeled apples
Salt
Freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 cups dry bread cubes
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Melt the margarine in a pan and cook the onions and celery in the melted butter until they are tender. Keep the heat at low/medium to prevent scorching the butter.
In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, the diced apples, the poultry seasoning and the dried sage.
Pour the chicken broth on the dry ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the onion, celery and butter mixture to the other ingredients.
Thoroughly mix the stuffing but be careful not to break up the bread cubes.
Stuff your turkey, chicken or Cornish hen with the stuffing or simply place it in a dish to be cooked separately.
Once the oven is up to temperature, insert the dish of stuffing.
Cooking time may vary between 25 and 35 minutes depending on how you like your stuffing. Keep it in a little longer if you like a nice, crunchy crust on the edges and top.
After cooking, take it out of the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe will yield approximately 12 servings of this delicious stuffing.
While it is true that many people like to stick to tried and true recipes for their own stuffing, sometimes it can be exciting to try something different. Give this recipe a try at your next get together. It’s easy to make and a treat to eat. Dig in!
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