BRIOCHE-PEAR STUFFING WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND ALMONDS

Brioche-Pear Stuffing With Italian Sausage and Almonds image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h25m

Number Of Ingredients 13

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Brioche bread
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups chopped onions, leeks or scallions
2 cups diced celery
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
2 large eggs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Pears, cut into small chunks and sauteed in butter
1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 cup roughly chopped almonds

Steps:

Chop the brioche bread into 1/2-inch cubes to make 16 cups. Stale bread works best for stuffing-if yours is fresh, spread out the cubes on baking sheet and dry in a 300 degrees F oven, 15 to 20 minutes.
Heat 1 stick butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, sage, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth; bring to a simmer and remove from the heat.
Beat the eggs and parsley in a large bowl; stir in the bread cubes, the vegetable-broth mixture, the prepared pears, sausage and almonds.
Transfer the mixture to a buttered 3-to-4-quart baking dish and dot with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F, 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, about 20 more minutes.