Stuffing/Dressing

You can't have a turkey without having stuffing. Nothing beats homemade stuffing. It is just as good when warming it up for leftovers. This is a recipe that you can put together (all but baking) the day before Thanksgiving.

STUFFING/Dressing

(serves 12)

Ingredients:

*2 french or Italian baguette, cut into cubes (about 2 1/2 pounds)

*1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

*1 large onion, diced

*3 large celery stalks, diced

*1 garlic clove, minced

*2 teaspoons dried parsley  (1/2 cup fresh, chopped finely)

*1  teaspoon dried sage, rubbed between fingers (2 tablespoons fresh, chopped finely)

*1 1/2  teaspoons dried thyme leaves (2 tablespoons fresh, chopped finely)

*1 teaspoon dried rosemary (2 tablespoons fresh, finely chopped)

*1 teaspoon black pepper

*4 cups turkey (chicken) stock

*3 large eggs

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

~Spread bread cubes in a single layer on two large baking pans.

~Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a light golden brown.

~Remove from oven and let cool.

~Heat 1/2 cup butter, in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

~Add 1 large chopped onion, 3 large chopped celery stalks  and 1 mince garlic clove, sauté until veggies are soft. About 8-10 minutes.

~In a large bowl, mix bread, cooked veggies, 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 1/2 cup fresh, chopped fine), 1 teaspoon dried sage (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped fine), 1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped fine),  1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped fine), 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 3 large eggs, and 4 cups turkey stock.

~Grease a 3-quart baking dish.

~Put stuffing in baking dish.

~Cover with lid or aluminum foil.

~Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

~Uncover and bake another 10 minutes.