I love stuffing. I would eat it all the time if I could. The buttery bread, caramelized vegetables, tender sausage and sweet apples create a dish I consistently crave.

The quality of your ingredients are integral to the outcome of this recipe. Using local and organic sausage I purchased at the Dallas farmers market with my homemade chicken broth created a rich and hearty flavour. I also used a great loaf of sourdough bread from our local bakery which I left out to dry myself. Fresh herbs give this stuffing a more robust flavour while the shallots, apples and celery get caramelized in a white wine glaze.

The total outcome was so phenomenal we ate this stuffing at breakfast!

1 lb of sage sausage
4 Tbsp. butter, divided
4 shallots, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup portabello mushrooms, diced
2 Tbsp. fresh thyme
3 Tbsp. fresh sage, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
1 loaf whole wheat sourdough bread, stale and diced into 1 inch cubes
3 Cups chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until no longer pink; about 10 minutes. Drain fat and set aside.

In the same skillet melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add shallots, garlic, celery, apple and mushrooms and sauté until tender. Sprinkle with thyme and sage.

Pour white wine over vegetables and de-glaze the pan. Sauté for another 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.

In a large bowl, combine sausage, vegetable mixture,  2 tablespoons of butter, and bread. Pour chicken broth over stuffing, stirring well to evenly coat the bread pieces. You want the bread to be moist but not soggy.

Place stuffing in a 9×13 inch casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes and remove foil.

Dot the top with remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the top has browned.

Serve immediately