Sourdough Stuffing With Walnuts And Sage Food

SOURDOUGH BREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish and set aside.
• Cut or tear the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread it evenly on 2 baking sheets. Toast the bread in the oven until completely dry and beginning to crisp and brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and a few pinches of salt and saute, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add celery, onion, 2 tablespoons butter, and thyme. Once the butter has melted, cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. Add sage and remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add chicken broth to skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl. Pour the chicken broth mixture over the bread cubes and toss to combine until the bread cubes absorb the liquid. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, and sprinkle with parsley. Bake in the center of the oven until heated through and the top is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove the stuffing from the oven and allow to cool about 15 minutes before serving.

VEGAN SOURDOUGH STUFFING WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Tear the boule into 1-inch pieces and evenly divide between 2 medium sheet trays. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat, then spread out into a flat, even layer.
• Bake on the upper and lower racks for 15 minutes; remove and toss, then switch the position of the sheet trays and bake until golden brown and crunchy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• While the croutons bake, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons olive oil and add half of the mushrooms; spread into an even layer. Cook for 5 minutes, undisturbed. Stir and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the remaining mushrooms. Cook until golden brown and softened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then pour into a large bowl.
• Heat the skillet again over medium heat. Drizzle in 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil and add the celery and scallions. Cook, stirring often, until they begin to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and add to the large bowl.
• Next, add the walnuts, thyme, rosemary, oregano and croutons; toss to combine. Add 2 cups of the broth, stir and let absorb for a few minutes, then add 1 cup. Stir and pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; add the remaining 1/2 cup broth and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Bake until golden and crispy on top, 30 to 35 minutes.

SOURDOUGH STUFFING WITH WALNUTS AND SAGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Dice the baguette into 1-inch cubes.
• Spread out on a sheet pan and toast in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown.
• Saute onions, celery and garlic in butter until onions are soft and translucent.
• Add walnuts, bread, sage and coat with the butter mixture.
• Add the stock a little at a time so that the bread absorbs the liquid evenly.
• Season with salt and pepper as desired.
• Turn stuffing into a greased, shallow baking pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, uncovered.
• Variation: To reduce fat, substitute more broth for some of the butter.
• Have extra bread or commercially made plain stuffing cubes on hand to stretch the butter-rich recipe as desired.