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A turkey roasts more evenly unstuffed, so I like to cook the stuffing -- technically now a dressing -- separately. If you're assembling this ahead, wait until just before baking to add the eggs and chicken broth. A metal baking pan tends to make this dressing cook more quickly.Serves eight.
ingredients
Butter for the pan
1 loaf (15 to 16 oz.) day-old rustic-style white bread
8 oz. sliced bacon, cut into 1-inch squares
1 large onion, cut into a 1/2-inch dice (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 Tbs. granulated sugar
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2-1/2 cups)
3 large ribs celery, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
2/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. fresh thyme, lightly chopped
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3-1/2 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
how to make
Butter a 9x13-inch baking pan. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them on a baking sheet to dry at room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Pour off all but 2 Tbs. of the fat from the skillet; reserve the extra. Put the onion in the pan and sauté over medium-high heat until soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the sugar over the onion and sauté, stirring constantly to prevent sticking or burning, until the onion turns deep golden and the edges caramelize, 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape the onion into a large mixing bowl.
Return the pan to medium heat and add 2 Tbs. of the reserved bacon fat. Add the apples and celery. Sauté until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the parsley, thyme, sage, 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, and a few grinds of pepper; sauté another 1 minute. Scrape the contents of the pan into the bowl with the onion.
When you're ready to bake the stuffing, add the bread cubes and bacon to the bowl of sautéed vegetables and toss. Add the beaten eggs, broth, 1/2 kosher salt, and a few more grinds of pepper; mix well. Transfer to the prepared baking pan.
Half an hour before the turkey is done (an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh should read 155° to 160ºF), put the stuffing in the oven next to the turkey and bake uncovered at 350°F until the top is light and crusty, about 1 hour.
From Fine Cooking 53, pp. 44-49
October 1, 2002
photo: Scott Phillips
