Cranberry & Sage Artisan Stuffing
Elevate your holiday table with this Cranberry & Sage Artisan Stuffing, a delightful blend of buttery bread, tart cranberries, and aromatic sage. Perfect as a savory side dish, it complements poultry, pork, or even vegetarian meals, making it a versatile addition to any feast. The subtle sweetness from brown sugar and the zesty brightness of fresh orange zest bring depth and character to this stuffing. Ideal for those looking to impress with a unique flavor profile, this dish can be prepared in advance, allowing you to focus on the main event. When feeding a crowd or accommodating varying preferences, consider offering this delectable stuffing alongside your favorite traditional recipe.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
6 tablespoons (melted)
Onion
1 cup (chopped)
Celery
1 cup (chopped, including leaves)
Cranberries
2 cups (fresh, frozen or dried, chopped)
White Bread
4 cups (cubed, crusts removed)
Fresh Sage
2 teaspoons (chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried))
Orange
1 (grated rind)
Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons (or substitute)
Eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Chicken Stock
1 cup
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter without allowing it to brown. Once melted, add the chopped onions and sauté for about 3 minutes until they become translucent.
3
Add the chopped celery along with its leaves to the skillet and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes until the celery has softened and both vegetables are fragrant.
4
Stir in the chopped cranberries, fresh sage, grated orange rind, and brown sugar. Allow the mixture to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring gently to combine all flavors.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed white bread with the sautéed mixture. Add the lightly beaten eggs, salt, and pepper to taste, along with the chicken stock, mixing well to ensure all bread is evenly coated.
6
Transfer the stuffing mixture into an oiled oven-proof dish, spreading it out evenly.
7
At this stage, you can cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight if you wish to prepare it ahead of time.
8
If baking immediately, place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned and the stuffing is cooked through. If you refrigerated the dish, you may need to increase the baking time slightly.
9
Once baked, allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cranberry & Sage Artisan Stuffing?
It is an elevated holiday side dish featuring a blend of buttery bread, tart cranberries, aromatic sage, and zesty orange rind.
What are the primary ingredients in this stuffing?
The main ingredients include white bread, butter, onion, celery, cranberries, fresh sage, orange rind, brown sugar, eggs, and chicken stock.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The stuffing should be baked in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Can I prepare this stuffing ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the mixture in an oven-proof dish, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight before baking.
What kind of cranberries can I use?
You can use fresh, frozen, or dried cranberries for this recipe.
How long does the stuffing need to bake?
It typically takes 30 to 35 minutes to bake, or until the top is nicely browned and the stuffing is cooked through.
Should I remove the crusts from the bread?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 4 cups of cubed white bread with the crusts removed.
Can I substitute fresh sage with dried sage?
Yes, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of dried sage instead of the 2 teaspoons of fresh chopped sage.
How much butter is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of butter.
How long should I sauté the onions?
The onions should be sautéed for about 3 minutes until they become translucent.
Should I include the celery leaves?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 1 cup of chopped celery including the leaves.
What liquid is used to moisten the stuffing?
One cup of chicken stock is used to ensure the bread cubes are evenly coated.
How many eggs are required?
The recipe requires 2 lightly beaten eggs.
How can I make this stuffing vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, simply substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
What citrus element is included?
The grated rind of one orange is added for a zesty brightness.
Is there a sweetener in the recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar are included to balance the tartness of the cranberries.
Does the baking dish need to be oiled?
Yes, the stuffing mixture should be transferred into an oiled oven-proof dish.
What dishes does this stuffing pair well with?
It complements poultry, pork, or vegetarian meals, making it a versatile side dish.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Yes, the recipe notes that you can use a substitute in place of brown sugar.
When do I add the cranberries?
Stir in the cranberries along with the sage, orange rind, and brown sugar after sautéing the onions and celery.
How long do the cranberries and sage cook in the skillet?
They should cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes while stirring gently.
What if I refrigerated the dish before baking?
If the dish was refrigerated, you may need to increase the baking time slightly to ensure it is heated through.
Should the stuffing cool before serving?
Yes, allow the stuffing to cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven.
How much bread is needed in total?
You will need 4 cups of cubed white bread.
How long do I sauté the celery?
Sauté the celery for about 5 minutes until it has softened.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes, frozen cranberries work perfectly fine in this recipe.
What seasonings are added at the end?
Salt and pepper are added to taste when mixing the bread cubes with the other ingredients.
How should the onions look after sautéing?
The onions should be translucent and not browned.
What makes this stuffing 'artisan'?
Its unique flavor profile comes from the combination of fresh orange zest, tart cranberries, aromatic sage, and brown sugar.