Bread Stuffing W Pears Bacon Pecans Caramelized Onions Food

BREAD STUFFING W/ PEARS, BACON, PECANS & CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Coat a deep, 9-by-13-inch baking pan with the butter.
• Place the bread cubes in a very large mixing bowl.
• In a 10-inch saute pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp.
• Using a slotted spoon drain the bacon and add to the bread in the bowl.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan, reserving the extra.
• Add the onions to the pan and saute over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and saute, stirring constantly, until the onions turn golden and the edges caramelize, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add to the bread in the bowl.
• Return the pan to medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat and swirl to coat the pan.
• Add the pears and celery and saute, stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add pecans, rosemary, parsley, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper to taste, and saute 1 minute longer.
• Add this mixture to the bread cubes, and stir to combine.
• Add the beaten eggs and stock to the bowl, and mix well.
• Place the stuffing in the prepared pan and bake, uncovered, until the top is lightly browned and crusty, about 1 hour.

CORN BREAD AND SPICED-PECAN STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange crumbled corn bread on rimmed baking sheet. Bake corn bread until lightly toasted, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Transfer to large bowl.
• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add butter to drippings in skillet and melt over medium heat. Add onion, celery, bell pepper and sage. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly. (Bread, bacon and vegetable mixture can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately. Store bread at room temperature; refrigerate bacon and vegetables.)
• Add bacon, vegetable mixture and Spiced Pecans to corn bread. Season with salt and pepper. Mix eggs into stuffing.
• 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.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 13x9x2-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish. 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.

PEARS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place walnuts on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool.
• In a food processor, process 1/2 cup of the walnuts 10 seconds, until finely chopped. Remove to a bowl, and set aside. Place the remaining walnuts, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons olive oil in the food processor. Process 15 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl, and process 15 seconds more. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil, red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar, and process 15 seconds. Transfer to a bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• In a 5-quart saucepan, bring to a boil 2 quarts water seasoned with 2 teaspoons salt. Add wheat berries and simmer 1 hour, until they are cooked but still quite crunchy. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl. Add the currants, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar; stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool 30 minutes, then stir in the reserved chopped walnuts. Set aside.
• In a large nonstick saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 30 to 40 minutes, until golden and caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent onions from sticking to the pan. Add 1/2 cup water to the caramelized onions, bring to a boil and then transfer onions and liquid to a large bowl.
• While the onions are cooking, combine lemon juice with 4 cups cold water in a medium bowl. Core and quarter the pears. Slice each quarter lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and place in the lemon water. Set aside until onions are done.
• Drain pears in a colander, rinse under cold water and shake dry. Add pears to the onions, and stir gently to combine. Season to taste with salt. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside for 10 minutes.
• To assemble, place equal amounts of the wheat berry mixture in a ring shape on the outer edges of 4 plates. Place equal amounts of arugula inside each ring of wheat berries. Dress arugula and wheat berries with 2 tablespoons dressing. Place equal amounts of the pear-onion mixture on the arugula, then sprinkle pears and onions with 1 more tablespoon of dressing. Serve immediately.