Herb Stuffing Recipe

Herb Stuffing with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pancetta

This delicious, savory stuffing recipe is superb with roasted poultry! Try it with your holiday meals.

Preparation & cooking time is 1 1/2 hours.

Makes About 14 to 16 Servings.

Ingredients:

8 cups 1/2-inch cubes day-old bread. (For a delicious variation try using stale croissants!)

1/2 pound thin-sliced pancetta, chopped

About 1 tablespoon olive oil

2 onions (3/4 lb. total), peeled and chopped

3 tablespoons minced garlic

3 cups finely chopped celery

1 jar (about 7 oz. net) steamed chestnuts or 1 1/3 cups cooked and peeled chestnuts, coarsely chopped.

1 cup drained oil-packed dried tomatoes, chopped.

1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley.

3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves or dried rubbed sage.

4 tablespoons chopped fresh bash leaves or dried basil.

3 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves or dried rosemary.

1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) melted butter.

Salt and pepper.

1 1/2 to 2 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth.

Directions:

~ In a 350 [degrees] oven, bake bread cubes in a 12- by 17-inch roasting pan until edges begin to brown, 25 to 35 minutes while stirring occasionally.

~ Meanwhile, in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, stir pancetta often until browned, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to towels to drain. Pour out fat and add enough olive oil to make 1/4 cup total and return to the frying pan.

~ Place pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and stir often until limp, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and celery; stir often until onions are clear.

~ To bread in roasting pan, add pancetta, onion mixture, chestnuts, tomatoes, parsley, sage, basil, rosemary, and butter. Mix well, adding salt and pepper to taste. Mix in broth, 1/2 cup at a time, until dressing is evenly moistened (for a crumbly dressing, use minimum amount). Spoon into a shallow 3-quart casserole and cover tightly.

~ Bake at 350 degrees until hot at center. About 35 to 40 minutes. For a crusty top, uncover the last 20 to 25 minutes.

Enjoy!

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