APRICOT ORANGE STUFFING/DRESSING

Apricot Orange Stuffing/Dressing image

Provided by Lusil

Time 1h42m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

6 cups cubed sourdough bread
1 tablespoon dried thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup dried apricot, halved
3/4 cup Grand Marnier
1 lb turkey sausage or 1 lb sweet Italian sausage link, casings removed
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon dried sage
1 diced granny smith apple
1/2 cup dried cherries
1 cup chicken broth

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss bread with thyme, salt, pepper and half of the oil.
Spread on baking sheet and bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes; place in a bowl.
Bring the apricots and the Grand Marnier liqueur just to a boil in a small saucepan; remove from heat and reserve.
Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking up clumps.
Transfer to the bread bowl with a slotted spoon.
Place the remaining oil and butter in a pot and wilt the onions, celery, garlic and sage over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring.
Add mixture to bread along with the apples, cherries, apricots and Grand Marnier.
Toss well.
Drizzle the chicken broth over all to moisten as desired; adjusting the seasonings.
For stuffing, cool completely then stuff the turkey.
For dressing, bake for 45 minutes covered with foil.
Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes.