Can we talk about how many types of stuffing there are? Pick an ingredient & I swear you can find a stuffing recipe that includes it. Then you have to worry about what type of bread. And then how dry? How moist? To stuff or not to stuff? If it didn’t taste so good I could easily see how this dish would be eliminated from the menu. Here’s the thing…you do you! This recipe can be treated as a baseline recipe. Add in your favorite flavors, eliminate others. Simply use it as a guide & create your ideal carby treat!
Since the permutations are endless, so much of the recipe will come down to taste. I highly recommend you taste as you go. Yes, you may fill up long before the actual meal is served, but a tweak here & there to adjust flavors goes a long way to ensuring a successful stuffing.
Herbed Stuffing
Ingredients
- 6 cups sourdough bread, cubed & baked about one loaf, see notes
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups green apple, diced
- 2-3 cups kale
- 1/2 cup golden raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1-2 cups vegetable broth see notes
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1-2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp vegan butter plus more to grease pan
- 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2-3 sage leaves
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded vegan parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Prepare breadcrumbs. Slice a loaf of sourdough bread into large bite-size chunks. Place on a 1-2 baking trays (spread out) & bake for 20 minutes. Remove & cool. Best if done 1-2 days in advance. Store uncovered so they can get stale (it's a good thing I promise).
- Preheat oven to 375°. Butter an oven-safe casserole dish.
- Dice & chop all the ingredients.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add onions. Cook for 6-8 minutes until they begin to caramelize. Lower heat to medium & add the chili flakes, herbs, celery & garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the apple & raisins. Cook for 2-3 more minutes. Add walnuts & kale. Cook 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup of the vegetable stock.
- In a large bowl add the breadcrumbs. Carefully add in the hot vegetable/stock mixture. Toss well to combine. Add additional stock as needed dependent on moisture level preferred. Fold in parmesan cheese if using. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Transfer mixture to the baking dish. Quarter 1 tbsp of butter & place little pieces along the top of stuffing. If you have extra additional herbs lay 2-3 sprigs on top. Cover with loosely with foil. Place in oven & bake for 40 minutes. For additional crispiness on top, remove the foil & place under the broiler for a few minutes. Watch closely to ensure it doesn't burn. Remove from oven. Let cool for a few minutes then serve.