The Blue Belle Inn Bed and Breakfast

Sausage Apple Stuffing: Side Dish

Servings: 12

Prep time:30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 

  12 cups white bread, cut into 3/4 " cubes

• 

  1 lb sweet Italian sausage

• 

  1 lb tart green apples, peeled, cored, chopped

• 

  1/4 cup butter

• 

  6 cups sliced leeks, white & lt green parts (3 lg)

• 

  4 teaspoons poultry seasoning

• 

  2 cups chopped celery & leaves

• 

  1 cup dried cranberries (4 oz.)

• 

  4 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

• 

  2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 

  3 eggs, beaten to blend

• 

  1 1/3 cup chicken broth (approximately)

Step 1:

Spread bread cubes on 2 large baking sheets. Bake 15 min at 350 degrees until slightly dry. Cool.

Step 2:

Sauté sausage in large skillet on med-high until cooked, crumbling coarsely. Using slotted spoon, transfer to large bowl. Pour off drippings. Melt butter in same skillet. Add leeks, apples, celery & poultry seasoning to skillet; sauté until leeks soften, about 8 min.

Step 3:

Mix in dried cranberries & rosemary. Add to meat; mix in bread & parsley. Season to taste with salt & pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead & refrigerated.)

Step 4:

Mix eggs into stuffing & lightly fill turkey. Moisten remaining stuffing with chicken broth (3/4 -1 cup, depending on amount). Place in buttered baking dish, cover with buttered aluminum foil, & bake 45 min. Uncover. Bake 15 min more. To bake all stuffing in pan: Mix in 1 1/3 c. broth & bake as above.

Step 5:

For turkey fillets: Spoon 1/3 c. sausage apple stuffing onto each flattened turkey filet. Roll up & toothpick. Place in a baking pan. Brush with maple butter. Cover & bake 45 min at 375 degrees, basting occasionally.