Apple Pecan Stuffing

Not necessarily a traditional stuffing for Thanksgiving, it is a refreshing alternative worth a try. The fruity blend is great and compliments the turkey very well. Enjoy!

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cups Granny Smith Apples (about 4 apples)
• ¾ cup pecans, dry-roasted
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 2 Tbsp. fresh sage
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. cracked black pepper
• 1 loaf French bread, diced
• 1 qt. homemade chicken stock

Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the apples, pecans, onion, and celery in the sauté pan until just tender. Add the sage, salt, and pepper. Add the bread and mix thoroughly. Add the stock, a little at a time, until it is absorbed and the stuffing reaches the desired consistency (all a matter of taste, really; you may need more or less stock).

Cool to use as an actual stuffing, or put in a shallow buttered casserole and bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees until crisp and crusty on top to serve as a side dish. Makes enough to stuff a 12 to 15 pound turkey or serve 6 to 8 as a side dish.