Rustic Herb Stuffing Recipes

OUR FAVORITE BUTTERY HERB STUFFING

Steps:

• Note about the bread cubes! You have options here. Stale or toasty bread works best. The first option is that you can cut 1 ½ pounds of bread into cubes, place it in a large baking dish, loosely tent with foil and let it sit overnight. You can also cut the cubes and put them in oven, toasting them at 350 degrees F until they are like croutons, about 15 minutes or so. Finally, you can buy the toasted bread cubes in bags from the store. It's your choice! You can also choose the size of your cubes. They can be small or larger for a more rustic stuffing.
• My mom has always used a mixture of stale and fresh bread. Also, I like to use different kinds of bread (usually two), like a sourdough and italian, and mix the cubes. It provides great texture.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a 9x13 baking dish (you can also use a larger baking dish or a larger foil roasting pan too!) with melted butter, olive oil or spray with nonstick spray. Place the bread in a large mixing bowl (this may be easier for you to stir!) or the baking dish that you will bake it in. You can also separate this into two baking dishes if it's easier.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the onion, celery and garlic with a big pinch of salt and pepper - at least ½ to 1 teaspoon each. Cook until the onions and celery soften, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the sage, parsley and rosemary. Cook for another minute. Stir in 1 cup of stock.
• Pour the onion celery mixture over the bread crumbs and toss well to coat.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the remaining 1 ½ cups stock and 2 eggs.
• Pour that mixture into the bread cubes and stir and fold the bread cubes until thoroughly combined. Bake the stuffing for 45 to 50 minutes, until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F. If the stuffing is getting too browned, you can tent it with foil.
• I have successfully made this a day ahead of time and reheated it - it's just as good! emove the pan from the fridge 60 minutes before reheating it. You can also use this mixture to stuff the bird if you wish!
• To serve 4: Cut this recipe in half exactly and bake it in an 8x8 or 9x9 inch dish. I bake for the same amount of time.
• To serve 12 to 18: Double this recipe exactly. Bake in a large baking dish, like a 10x15 roasting pan, or baking in two 9x13 baking dishes. I bake for roughly the same amount of time, or about 15 minutes longer.

RUSTIC HERB STUFFING

Steps:

• Technique One: Outside the Bird.
• Convenience and concerns about undercooking have made baking the stuffing in a pan the default for many cooks. The payoff? Crispy topping and more stuffing (you can fit more in a pan than in the bird).
• Technique Two: Inside the Bird.
• If you want to stuff a turkey, it's best to brine it-that way, the stuffing can cook to a safe temperature without drying out the bird. Start with your favorite brined-turkey recipe, then follow the steps below. You'll end up with moist stuffing that's infused with flavorful turkey juices.
• Preparation: For Rustic Herb Stuffing Cooked Outside the Bird.
• Preheat oven to 375°F Spread bread on large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until bread is dry, about 15 minutes. Cool.
• Melt 10 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add green onions and next 8 ingredients; sauté until celery is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add Swiss chard and toss until wilted, about 3 minutes. DO AHEAD Bread cubes and vegetable mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Store bread cubes airtight at room temperature. Cool vegetable mixture slightly, then transfer to microwave-safe bowl; cover and chill. Rewarm vegetable mixture in microwave before continuing.
• Preheat oven to 375°F Generously butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Place bread cubes in very large bowl. Add warm vegetable mixture; toss to combine. Whisk eggs and 3/4 cup broth in medium bowl. Add egg mixture to stuffing and toss to coat. Mix in Parmesan, if using.
• Add more broth (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) to stuffing if dry. Transfer to dish. Cover with buttered foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake until golden, about 30 minutes.
• For Rustic Herb Stuffing Cooked Inside the Bird.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Drain turkey. Rinse under cold running water; pat dry.
• Place stuffing in glass bowl. Microwave on high until instant-read thermometer registers 130°F, stirring occasionally, 5 to 8 minutes. Fill cavities loosely with warm stuffing (do not tie legs). Place remaining stuffing in baking dish; moisten with up to 1/2 cup broth. Chill while turkey roasts.
• Place turkey on rack in roasting pan; brush with olive oil. Roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into stuffing registers 165°F (thigh will register 170°F), adding water to pan to prevent scorching, about 3 1/2 hours.
• Let turkey rest 30 minutes. Meanwhile, bake chilled stuffing until golden, 30 minutes.

TRADITIONAL HERB STUFFING OR DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter a pretty casserole dish 15"x10" baking dish or a souffle dish would be perfect.
• Melt butter in large skillet and add mushrooms, onions, & celery.
• Saute for 3-5 minutes until translucent.
• Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• Now add salt, thyme, rosemary, sage, black pepper, savory, parsley & poultry seasoning & mix well.
• Add nuts and mix well again.
• Beat the eggs.
• Place bread into a large bowl along with vegetable mixture, beaten eggs and 1 cup warm chicken broth or vegetable broth.
• Continue mixing and pouring in broth until stuffing looks moist, use at least 4 cups of stock or broth. It should not be too dry - remember you are going to bake it.
• Transfer stuffing to prepared dish.
• Cover with buttered foil and bake until heated through, about 45 minutes.
• Uncover and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Variations:*To keep Kosher use the margarine and **For Kosher or Vegetarian - use the vegetable broth.