Serves 6
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Fresh herbs add a punch of flavor to this lightened-up stuffing, while sautéed vegetables and apple add moisture, boost fiber, and minimize the carbohydrates. Of course, great stuffing starts with good bread, so be sure to choose a rustic, wholegrain or multigrain loaf from a local bakery or your grocery’s bakery section. If your loaf is larger than what the recipe needs, freeze the extra in an airtight container for up to two months. Then, defrost at room temperature before heating to eat. Get a head start by toasting the bread cubes one day in advance. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Ingredients
1/2 lb crusty, multigrain country or French bread loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ lb wild mushrooms (such as a mix of shiitake, cremini, and oyster), trimmed, and sliced
1 apple, cored and chopped
1 Tbsp fresh chopped thyme leaves
1 Tbsp fresh chopped sage leaves
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp pepper
2 large eggs
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread bread cubes across a baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly toasted and beginning to crisp. Remove from oven; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion, celery, garlic; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms. Cook 3 minutes or until mushrooms are just beginning to get tender. Stir in apple, thyme, and sage. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant and hot throughout. Remove from heat; stir in salt and pepper.
3. In mixing bowl, combine vegetable mixture and bread cubes. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk eggs and broth together. Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Gently toss to combine.
3. Lightly coat a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon stuffing mixture into prepared dish; cover with foil. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake 10 to 15 minutes or until top is beginning to brown.
NUTRITION FACTS (per 1/6 of stuffing): Calories 200; Total Fat 5g (Saturated Fat 1g); Cholesterol 60mg; Sodium 350mg; Total Carbs 29g (Dietary Fiber 4g, Total Sugars 9g, Added Sugars 0g); Protein 8g.
CAROLYN WILLIAMS, PHD, RD
Rally Health
