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Last year I attended a class where Laura Muir, blog author of Fresh Cooking Happy People, taught us how to incorporate more fresh veggies and fruits into our holiday cooking. Everyone in the class loved this recipe for Artisan Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Italian Sausage. If you are looking for a side dish this Thanksgiving that is geared more to the grown up crowd, this is your dish. It’s loaded with fresh mushrooms, onions, Italian sausage, apple chunks, fresh herbs and my favorite, golden raisins. This dish is a bit spicy, savory, sweet, filled with three different types of bread and lots of fresh herbs.
Less than a week to go, people.
Here’s a little step by step for you, ’cause I know you love the visual guide…
Make the cornbread, cut into cubes a day or two before, let sit on counter or in oven till dried.
Artisan and Cornbread Stuffing with Apples and Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Cremini or any type of fresh mushroom, washed and cut in half, or quartered if large
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups day old cornbread or one regular size Jiffy Cornbread mix, cooked according to package directions, cooled and cut into 1 " cubes
- 2 cups french bread or rolls, cubed into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cups Artisan bread , cubed into 2 inch pieces
- 1/4 to 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 cup or one large onion, diced
- 2 large golden delicious apples, skin on, cored, chopped into 1″ cubes
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar , or 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 4 or 5 springs fresh thyme
- 4 teaspoons fresh rosemary
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped coarse
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 16 ounces chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare one or two days ahead:
- Cube all three breads and let sit in single layer on cookie sheets several hours or overnight. Baking in a 250 degree oven for 1 hour works well. Let sit on counter overnight.
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees and place rack on top third of oven.
- Place mushrooms on a lined or lightly greased cookie sheet and drizzle with oil and salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until deep golden brown. Set aside.
- In a large fry pan over medium high heat, cook sausage, then remove from pan and set aside. Cook onions and apples in the same pan without wiping out grease. Apples and onions should cook for 5 minutes or until slightly softened. Add brown sugar and let cook for an additional 3-5 minutes on medium high until they reach a deep golden color.
- Decrease heat to medium and add cider vinegar or wine vinegar. Add remaining herbs and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, lightly toss together mushrooms, bread cubes, sausage and the cooked onions and apples. Toss in golden raisins. Add chicken broth until liquid is absorbed. You may not use all of the broth. Just toss until the dressing has absorbed enough of the liquid to make a moist, but not sticky, wet stuffing. Some of the liquid will cook out during baking.
- Place ingredients in lightly greased casserole or 9×13 pan. Cover with foil.
- Bake covered at 375 for 15 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown on top. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs.
- Serves about 12-15 as a side dish.
Notes
-You may use a cornbread mix or your own home made variety. Stay away from sweet brands and recipes, or the flavor of the dish will change.
-This dish is easily doubled to make 2-9×13 pans.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!
Laurie
Hi, Would a sourdough and white bread combo change the consistency too much?
Jillian
Hello Laurie!
This recipe calls for artisan bread or French bread rolls; however, the sourdough and white bread combo will still create a delicious stuffing.
Happy Baking,
Jillian
ABK Team
Laura Muir
Hi Si! Your blog is beautiful! I love the style. Thanks for the reference to my blog! I was thinking about how much fun it was to do that thanksgiving side dishes class! We have been gearing up for thanksgiving around our house too and have already enjoyed my Artisan Stuffing a few times! It is just the best. P.S. Your photographs are lovely, are you doing them yourself? Love it.
Warmest regards,
Laura Muir
freshcookinghappypeople.blogspot.com
abountifulkitchen
Hi Laura!
We still talk about that class, the fresh produce and the yummy dishes you prepared! This has become a neighborhood/family favorite. I'm making it again this morning 🙂 Yes, I take all of my photographs. thank you very much!
happy holidays to you and your family,
Si
Misty
Sorry — I commented as my daughter. As I was saying …. Erin & I are SO making this!! Can't wait. We'll be thinking of you. 🙂
AD
Looks delish! So which liquid did you use? I think cider vinegar would add an entirely different flavor than wine. Also did you use a particular recipe for cornbread? Please share ????
Si
Hi AD,
I used white cooking wine. I don't usually have wine on hand, but I always have cooking wine in my pantry. It's easy for me to throw in the grocery cart while I'm out shopping. It is found near the vinegars at the store. I always use a bit less than a recipe suggests, as cooking wine has a high salt content. Then I add some other liquid to compensate for the reduced amount of wine. I have already adjusted this recipe. The original recipe calls for "one cup of white wine" .
You will love this recipe. It's a bit different from the usual sausage stuffing. While I would not give that up on my Thanksgiving table, this one is a nice additional side dish!
Couscous & Consciousness
I'm so happy I found this. We are planning an early Xmas get together next weekend with family members who will be away over Xmas. They have donated a goose for the occasion and I was wondering what I was going to do for stuffing – now I know.
abountifulkitchen
I. Am. Salivating.