MUSHROOM-CORNBREAD (CHALLAH) STUFFING

Mushroom-Cornbread (Challah) Stuffing image

Number Of Ingredients 12

10 cups Cornbread, Challah, or Brioche
2 tablespoons EVOO
2 cups Chopped leeks
2 cups Chopped mushrooms
2 cloves Garlic
3 tablespoons Fresh parsley
1 tablespoons Fresh Rosemary
4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups Low Sodium Turkey or Chicken broth
1/4 cup Pancetta or thick slab bacon chopped
3/4 cups Chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon Ground pepper

Steps:

Preheat oven to 275°F. Spread bread on a large rimmed baking sheet and bake until dry to the touch, about 30 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a large bowl.
ncrease oven temperature to 350 degrees . Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks and mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until just starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add parsley and rosemary and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Scrape the mixture on top of the bread. Melt butter in the pan, scraping up any browned bits, then scrape onto the bread. Add broth to taste, pecans, pancetta and pepper to the bread mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Spray one side of a piece of foil with cooking spray and cover the stuffing, sprayed-side down.
Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden brown, about 20 minutes more.
Make Ahead Tip: Toast the bread and store, uncovered at room temperature, for up to 2 days. Place chopped pecans in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.