She Strengthens

Revolutionize Your Holiday Meal with a Crispy, Flavorful Stuffing

Ditch the soggy, sausage-laden stuffing recipes of yesteryear and elevate your holiday table with a game-changing, crispy-topped masterpiece. This innovative recipe eschews the usual pork-based ingredients, instead focusing on the perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

The Perfect Loaf: A Foundation of Flavor

The key to this stuffing’s success lies in the bread. Opt for a crusty, flavorful loaf with a satisfying crunch, such as a sweet batard or ciabatta. Avoid soft, mass-produced French bread, which will only lead to a mushy, unappetizing texture.

A Flavorsome Medley of Vegetables

While traditional stuffing recipes often rely on celery and onions, this version takes a bold step forward by incorporating cremini mushrooms, celery root, and fragrant herbs like sage and thyme. The result is a depth of flavor that will leave your guests begging for seconds.

Make-Ahead Magic

One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its flexibility. Prepare the entire dish ahead of time, refrigerate until ready to serve, and then reheat uncovered in a 350°F oven for approximately 30 minutes. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your holiday feast, secure in the knowledge that your stuffing will emerge from the oven golden brown and tantalizing.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf sweet batard (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and cut into quarters
• 1 medium celery root, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for coating the dish
• 1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups mushroom broth

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast until dry and lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and transfer to a large bowl.
3. In a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring rarely, until browned, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to the bowl with the bread cubes.
4. Peel and cube the celery root, then return the frying pan to medium heat. Add butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. When the butter has melted, add the celery root, onion, sage, and thyme, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion just begins to soften, about 6 to 8 minutes.
5. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the bread cubes and mushrooms. Evenly drizzle the wine around the bowl, add the egg, and stir to evenly coat the bread cubes and vegetables. Drizzle half of the mushroom broth over the mixture and stir to combine. Drizzle in the remaining broth and stir until all bread cubes are evenly moistened. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
6. Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish, slightly compacting it. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the bread cubes on top are crispy and browned, about 30 minutes more.

Savor the Flavors of the Season

This extraordinary stuffing recipe is sure to become a new holiday tradition. With its perfect balance of textures and flavors, it’s the ideal accompaniment to your festive feast. So why settle for bland, uninspired stuffing when you can revolutionize your holiday meal with this crispy, flavorful masterpiece?