Pumpernickel And Mushroom Stuffing Food

RYE PUMPERNICKEL STUFFING

Steps:

• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spread bread cubes in 2 large shallow baking pans and bake, stirring occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through baking, until dry, 20 to 25 minutes total. Transfer bread to a large bowl. 3While bread is drying in oven, cook onions in 1/2 stick butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 20 minutes, then add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add onion mixture to bread, reserving skillet. Add turnips, broth, and 2 tablespoons butter to skillet, then simmer, covered, until tender, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Increase oven temperature to 450°F and butter a 13- by 9-inch baking dish (3-quart capacity).
• Add turnip mixture, parsley, salt, and pepper to bread and toss until combined well. Spoon stuffing into baking dish. Cut remaining 2 tablespoons butter into bits and dot over top of stuffing. Bake stuffing, covered tightly with a sheet of buttered foil (buttered side down), in upper third of oven until heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake stuffing until top is lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes more.

CHESTNUT AND WILD MUSHROOM STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Using chestnut knife or sharp paring knife, make large X on flat side of each chestnut through shell but not meat. Soak chestnuts in bowl of warm water to cover by 2 inches for 15 minutes, then drain well. Arrange chestnuts in 1 layer in shallow baking pan, then roast in middle of oven until shells curl away at X mark, about 15 minutes. Wearing protective gloves, peel away shells from chestnuts while still hot. In large pot boiling water, blanch chestnuts 2 minutes, then drain. Using kitchen towel, rub chestnuts to remove skins. Coarsely chop and reserve. Leave oven on.
• Butter 9- by 13-inch casserole dish with 1 tablespoon butter.
• On foil-lined baking sheet, toast bread in 350°F oven, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Place in large mixing bowl and set aside. Leave oven on.
• In heavy, large skillet over moderately high heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add mushrooms and sauté, stirring, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Add another 2 tablespoons butter and heat until melted. Add onion and celery, and sauté until translucent, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Add mushroom mixture plus parsley and thyme to bread and gently stir to combine.
• In heavy, small pot over moderate heat bring chicken stock to gentle boil. Pour into bread mixture and gently toss to combine. Stir in egg, salt, and pepper. Transfer to casserole dish. The stuffing can be prepared up to this point and kept, covered and refrigerated, up to four hours. Bake until golden brown and heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve hot.

TO-DIE-FOR THANKSGIVING STUFFING

Steps:

• Saute onions, garlic, and rosemary in 4 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat until golden and soft.
• In a huge bowl (or the nearest thing you've got--I use the turkey roaster), combine bread cubes, eggs, and remaining bacon fat. Then add onion/garlic mixture, the thyme, and pecans.
• Combine the bourbon and chicken stock; starting with 1 quart, add enough stock to produce the consistency YOU recognize as "stuffing."
• When combined, stuff bird or place in separate large baking dish(es).
• Bake at 350 for at least 45 minutes--longer if you prefer a dark crust on your stuffing.
• Serves 12 or more as part of a Thanksgiving feast.

PUMPERNICKEL AND MUSHROOM STUFFING

Steps:

• Place slices of bread under broiler and toast both sides.
• Butter each slice liberally. Use additional butter if necessary.
• Stack slices and cut into cubes. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Add chopped mushrooms and brown 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Season mushrooms with salt and pepper.
• Add celery and water chestnuts as you get them chopped.
• Continue to cook until veggies are all tender, another 5 minutes.
• Add scallions, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning and the parsley.
• Cut bread into cubes and add.
• Moisten stuffing with 1 cup broth or stock. Transfer to a serving dish.