DRIED CHERRY & SAUSAGE DRESSING

Dried Cherry & Sausage Dressing image

Apples and dried cherries add a sweet-tart flavor to my homemade stuffing. It makes a holiday dinner one to remember. -Connie Boll, Chilton, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h25m

Yield 20 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 loaf (1 pound) unsliced Italian bread
1/4 cup cherry juice blend or unsweetened apple juice
1 cup dried cherries
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium Granny Smith apples, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 large eggs
2 cups chicken stock

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. Cut bread into 1-in. cubes; transfer to two 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake 10-15 minutes or until toasted. Cool slightly. In a small saucepan, bring juice blend to a boil. Stir in cherries. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Drain. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage, celery and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in apples, parsley, butter, seasonings, bread cubes and drained cherries. In a small bowl, whisk eggs and stock; pour over bread mixture and toss to coat., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish (dish will be full). Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 204 calories, Fat 11g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 422mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.