The Queen's Galley, Kingston, NY 12401

Stuffing (or dressing) Recipe (makes about 18 cups, enough to stuff a 25lb bird)

I like to switch up a mix of apple and pear in this recipe, no need to peel the fruit. The red and green add nice color not to mention added nutrients and fiber! If your a New Englander the addition of sausage is a nice touch. Saute the sausage first and then add with the fruit. I would suggest a winter savory sausage from Fleishers (YUM!)

14 ounces crusty bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
6 cups chopped onion
1 pound tart green apples, unpeeled, cored, chopped
2 cups chopped celery with leaves
4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 cup dried cranberries (about 4 ounces)
4 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 1/3 cups (about) Turkey stock (recipe to the right)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide bread cubes between 2 large baking sheets. Bake until slightly dry, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. (You can do this several weeks ahead, simply keep your croutons nice and dry!)

Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, apples, celery and poultry seasoning to skillet; sauté until onions soften, about 8 minutes. Mix in dried cranberries and herbs. Add mixture to sausage now if using, then mix in bread. Season stuffing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

To bake stuffing in turkey:

Fill main turkey cavity with stuffing. Mix enough turkey stock into remaining stuffing to moisten (about 3/4 to 1 cup stock, depending on amount of remaining stuffing). Spoon remaining stuffing into buttered baking dish. Cover with buttered aluminum foil. Bake stuffing in dish alongside turkey until heated through, about 45 minutes. Uncover stuffing and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
To bake all stuffing in pan:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 15x10x2-inch baking dish. Mix 1 1/3 cups broth into stuffing. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover with buttered foil and bake until heated through, about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.