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Uncle Joe's Favorite Stuffing

This stuffing is for a big bird, not to be confused with stuffing"Big Bird", or as a side for any roast. It will easily stuff a 24 pound bird and have a little left over. If you are using a smaller bird, you can halve this recipe, or else freeze the extra. One of the best things about this stuffing is how well it freezes. Take any extra stuffing and place it in a foil lined casserole dish. Bake like normal and cool to room temperature. Freeze for a day or two. Remove your casserole dish and you will have a nice package of frozen stuffing for whenever you need it.

2 cups diced dried apricots
1 cup diced dried cranberries
1/2 cup amaretto liqueur
1 cup pear or plain brandy
1 1/2 cups butter
2 large yellow onions, chopped
1 bunch scallions, sliced
6 stalks and leaves celery, chopped
8 cups day old egg bread cubes
2 pounds bulk pork or turkey sausage
2 cups chestnuts, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 pears, cored and chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
3 beaten eggs
1 cup apricot nectar
3 cups chicken stock
salt and pepper

Soak the apricots and cranberries in the amaretto and brandy overnight. Saute the onions, scallions, and celery in 4 tablespoons butter until soft. Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl. In the same pan crumble the sausage and cook until browned. Add the sausage and bread cubes to the onion mixture. Add the chestnuts, pears, apricot mixture (including soaking liquid) and rosemary to the stuffing mixture. In the same skillet heat the rest of the butter, apricot nectar, and chicken stock until the butter is melted and pour over the stuffing. Salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Loosely stuff the turkey if desired. Bake any leftover (or all of the stuffing) for 40 minutes along with the turkey.

MMMMM! Thank you for the recipes. There's nothing comparable to making your own turkey at Thanksgiving....the smell, the leftovers!

Gravy was my biggest problem until I discovered the wonders of microwave sauce-making. One tablespoon butter, 2 of flour for 30-40 secs. on high, stir, then microwave 1 min. more at half power 'til the roux is bubbly, add 2 cups broth (from the turkey pan drippings + water)...microwave at half power at 1 minute intervals, stir, 'til boiling, then 1 minute more. Add salt/pepper to taste. No lumps, no continuous stirring....foolproof. (^:

Snow Bunny, I love your giblet story. What a great way to put your guests at ease. LOL! What other food comes with its guts packed inside?

Funny turkey story I heard on Johnny Carson years ago...Jack Palance lived on a ranch as a child and became friends with the live turkey his folks bought for Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey became Jack's pet, ended up sharing his room, followed him around the ranch and lived a good, long turkey life. (^: