Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400
- Butter a baking dish, ~2 qt
- Melt 4 tbsp butter, and add with bread cubes to large mixing bowl and toss
- Spread coated bread on baking sheets(s), and bake, stirring occasionally, until dry and has taken on some color. ~15-20 minutes
- Return croutons to large mixing bowl
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2-4 tbsp butter, foam out, add onions, mushrooms, celery and cook until onions are soft, translucent and mushrooms have taken some color
- Add 1 tbsp butter to vegetable mixture, add herbs and garlic, stir / toss until fragrant, ~ 1-2 minutes
- Add broth to vegetables, season to taste
- Add vegetables and broth to croutons, in small increments, and mix well, Looking for a loose dough, not soup. (use all the veggies, but be moderate in adding the broth)
- Add egg if used, and mix well
- Pour stuffing mix into baking dish, and bake until set, heated through and crust is browned. ~45 minutes
- Cool, portion and serve.
Nutrition
Notes
This is a basic stuffing / dressing mix. It is quite versatile.
One can use the raw dressing to stuff peppers, pork loin, pork chops, as a bedding for a roast chicken, (really need to be a very dry mix for this one).
I have taken a dryer mix, shaped patties, fried them and served along with eggs as part of a breakfast for dinner meal.
The herbals are quite open, if using fresh allow for 3 times the dried in chopped / minced fresh.
One can add cooked protein, shape into a loaf pan, bake and serve as the protein component of a meal.
FYI: NEVER, EVER, Stuff a turkey with a bread based dressing. If one MUST stuff with something, onions, celery, herbs, apples, dried fruit, all add flavor to the eventual gravy.
BAKE THE "STUFFING" on the side, you'll be happier. Just my personal opinion ...