Sunnys Simple Stuffing Recipes

SUNNY'S CROWD-SOURCED STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat a countertop oven to 300 degrees F.
• Place the bread cubes in a single layer on two quarter sheet trays (9-by-13-inch baking sheets) or countertop oven baking sheets and bake until dried out and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove the bread cubes to a very large bowl.
• Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the celery, onions and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the sage, thyme, garlic and scallion whites and continue to cook until the vegetables and herbs meld together, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mixture to the bowl with the bread cubes. Add the chestnuts and saltines and mix to combine well.
• Whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and turkey stock in a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Pour over the bread cubes and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper and mix to combine well.
• Transfer the bread mixture to a 9-by-9-by-2 1/2-inch broiler-safe baking dish. Using a wooden spoon, press down to compact the stuffing. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and switch the countertop oven to broil. Broil the stuffing until the top is golden brown and crispy, 2 minutes on high. Garnish with the scallion greens and Fried Sage, if using.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat to 375 degrees F. To test if the oil is ready for frying, drop in a small sage leaf. If it begins to sizzle, the oil is ready. Add the sage leaves to the oil and fry until crisp, 20 to 25 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, remove the leaves to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.

SUNNY'S EASY CHEESE AND CRANBERRY STUFFED CHICKEN WITH CRANBERRY GLAZE

Steps:

• Make and freeze the stuffing: Mash together the goat cheese, shredded cheese, cranberries, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl with a fork. (You can use your hands to mix it really well.) Taste a 'lil bit and add a pinch of salt if needed. Divide the cheese mixture into four sections and shape into torpedo-like logs a bit shorter than the length of the chicken breasts. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
• Prepare the chicken: Use a paring knife to cut a pocket into the short, fat end of a chicken breast, that will run through much of the length of the breast, without cutting all the way through. It may take a few strokes with the knife. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts. Remove the stuffing from the freezer and insert one log in each pocket. If necessary, trim the logs to fit into the pockets. Secure the openings with toothpicks.
• Season and grill the chicken: Preheat the grill for direct and indirect grilling at 350 degrees F and oil the grates.
• Brush olive oil on the chicken and sprinkle on all sides with salt and pepper. Place the chicken over the direct heat of the grill and cook until a peek beneath reveals grill marks, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and place over the indirect heat of the grill to finish. Remove when a check with a thermometer shows the chicken to be at around 155 degrees F, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the chicken from the grill and tent with aluminum foil for 5 to 10 minutes. The temperature of the chicken should increase to 165 degrees F.
• Make the glaze: Combine the chicken stock, cranberries, honey, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the toothpicks from the chicken, transfer to plates, and serve each with a spoon of glaze over the top.

SUNNY'S EASY APPLE STUFFING LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large skillet, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Add the celery, onions, thyme, sage, scallions, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook until the onions and celery are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute. Transfer the vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
• To the bowl of veggies, add the stuffing mix, walnuts, parsley, cranberries and apples and mix well. Add 2 1/2 cups of the stock, tossing well to coat and soak all of the cubes. If more stock is needed, add it splash by splash. There should be no liquid pooling in the bottom of your bowl.
• Scoop the stuffing mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press down firmly to pack it. Cover the pan with foil, place on a sheet pan and bake for 1 hour. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Remove the foil and continue to bake until golden brown on top, 25 to 30 more minutes.
• Dig in warm or allow to cool slightly and turn out onto a plate to serve. Or allow to cool completely, then cut into 1-inch-thick slices with a serrated knife and toast in a pan with butter.

SUNNY'S ITALIAN SAUSAGE HOLIDAY STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Saute the sausage. In a large pan on medium-high heat, add olive oil and sausage. Cook until heated through and browned. Remove to a large bowl along with any remaining fat from the pan. Saute the vegetables and fruit. In the same pan add butter and melt on medium heat. Add scallions, celery, onion, cranberries and Hidden Valley® Homestyle Italian Dressing & Seasoning Mix. Cook while stirring until the vegetables are tender and cranberries become a bit plump, about 6-8 minutes. Remove all to the bowl with the sausage. Mix stuffing. Add stuffing cubes to the bowl and toss. Pour over the chicken stock adding 1/4 cup or so more if cubes are not moist enough, this should feel like thick mashed potatoes. Bake stuffing. Coat the bottom and sides of an 8" x 8" baking dish with cooking spray. Pour in stuffing and press down, leveling off the top with a rubber spatula or back of a spoon. Bake until top is golden, about 35-40 minutes.

CLASSIC SIMPLE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Remove from the oven and let cool. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in salt, poultry seasoning, and pepper and remove from the heat.
• Whisk together stock, eggs, parsley, and rosemary in a large bowl. Add cooled bread cubes and onion mixture; stir until very well combined. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
• Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown and lightly toasted on top, 20 to 25 more minutes.
• Garnish with remaining parsley.

SUNNY'S ITALIAN SAUSAGE HOLIDAY STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sauté the sausage. In a large pan on medium-high heat, add olive oil and sausage. Cook until heated through and browned. Remove to a large bowl along with any remaining fat from the pan.
• Sauté the vegetables and fruit. In the same pan add butter and melt on medium heat. Add scallions, celery, onion, cranberries and Hidden Valley® Homestyle Italian Dressing & Seasoning Mix. Cook while stirring until the vegetables are tender and cranberries become a bit plump, about 6-8 minutes. Remove all to the bowl with the sausage.
• Mix stuffing. Add stuffing cubes to the bowl and toss. Pour over the chicken stock adding ¼ cup or so more if cubes are not moist enough, this should feel like thick mashed potatoes.
• Bake stuffing. Coat the bottom and sides of an 8" x 8" baking dish with cooking spray. Pour in stuffing and press down, leveling off the top with a rubber spatula or back of a spoon. Bake until top is golden, about 35-40 minutes.