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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Herbed Oyster Stuffing

Okay...don't groan.  You think...gross...oysters.  Truth be known, I really don't care for them that much.  But, Thanksgiving isn't Thanksgiving without it,  It doesn't taste fishy...but adds a really good flavor to the stuffing.  And, the oysters bake up to where you don't even notice that they are there and it makes the stuffing really moist.  (Nothing is worse than dried out turkey and stuffing...)  Try it...but don't tell anyone what it is as then they will have preconceived notions.  Somethings are better left unsaid!!  :)  Also, you can substitute the bread for Pepperidge Farm Herbed Stuffing.

 Oyster Stuffing


Ingredients

  • 2 loaves Italian or French bread (1 lb total), cut into 3/4-inch cubes (12 cups)
  • 1/2 lb sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (if needed)
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped (2 cups)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried thyme, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage or 2 teaspoons dried sage, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • 18 oysters, shucked, drained, and chopped (3/4 cup)
  • 2 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Directions:

Spread bread cubes in 2 shallow baking pans and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of pans halfway through baking, until golden, 25 to 30 minutes total. Cool bread in pans on racks, then transfer to a large bowl. 

Meanwhile, cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in skillet. 

If bacon renders less than 1/4 cup fat, add enough oil to skillet to total 1/4 cup fat. Cook onions, celery, thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper in fat in skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with bread cubes, then stir in bacon, parsley, butter, and oysters. Drizzle with stock, then season with salt and pepper and toss well. 

Transfer stuffing to a buttered 3- to 3 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Bake, covered, in middle of oven 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until browned, about 30 minutes more.

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