Herbed Rye and Apple Cranberry Stuffing
This delightful stuffed bread creation combines the robust flavors of dark rye with the sweetness of fresh apples and the tartness of cranberries, bringing a comforting, heartwarming side dish to your festive meals. Inspired by a memorable Thanksgiving buffet and enriched by Eastern European influences, this stuffing is not only easy to prepare but offers a uniquely rich flavor profile that pairs beautifully with roast duck, turkey, or pork. With a harmonious blend of herbs, tender vegetables, and zesty caraway seeds, it's an ideal complement to any feast, and it's sure to become a staple in your holiday cooking repertoire.
20
Servings
100
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried cranberries
2/3 cup (Plumped in boiling water)
Dark rye bread
1/2 loaf (approx. 1/2 lb) (Torn into small bite-sized pieces)
Celery ribs
3 (Finely diced)
Red onions
2 (Finely diced)
Apples
2 (Peeled, cored, and diced)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Herb seasoned stuffing mix
1 (16 ounce) package (Use preferred brand (e.g. Pepperidge Farm))
Butter or margarine
8 tablespoons (Cut into small pieces for dotting)
Caraway seeds
2 teaspoons (Sprinkled on top)
Canned chicken broth
4 cups (Heated to near boiling)
Instructions
1
Begin by placing the dried cranberries in a measuring cup and covering them with boiling water. Let them soak for about 10-15 minutes to plump up, then drain and set aside.
2
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
3
Tear the dark rye bread into small, bite-sized pieces and spread them evenly in a large baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, just until the bread is slightly crisp but not fully dry.
4
In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced celery and sauté for 1 minute. Next, add the diced red onions and continue to sauté until both vegetables are softened, about 3-5 minutes.
5
Remove the pot from heat and gently stir in the diced apples. Be careful not to cook them further, as the heat from the vegetables will soften the apples just enough.
6
In a large bowl, combine the herb-seasoned stuffing mix with the slightly crisped rye bread, and then pour the mixture into the Dutch oven over the sautéed vegetables and apples.
7
Dot the top of the mixture evenly with 8 tablespoons of butter or margarine, and sprinkle the caraway seeds across the surface.
8
Heat the chicken broth or homemade stock until it's near boiling, then carefully pour it over the stuffing mixture, stirring well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
9
Gently fold in the reserved plumped cranberries, and if the mixture appears too dry, add in a splash of the reserved cranberry soaking liquid to reach your desired moisture level.
10
Your stuffing is now ready to be served immediately, stuffed into your favorite poultry, or prepared in advance and baked later as per your usual methods.
Nutrition Information
4g
Fat
15g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
100mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbed Rye and Apple Cranberry Stuffing?
It is a comforting side dish that combines dark rye bread, fresh apples, and tart cranberries with Eastern European influences.
What kind of bread is recommended for this stuffing?
The recipe specifically calls for dark rye bread to provide a robust flavor profile.
How should I prepare the dried cranberries?
Place them in a measuring cup, cover with boiling water for 10-15 minutes until plump, then drain.
What is the oven temperature for crisping the bread?
The oven should be preheated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius).
How long does the rye bread need to be in the oven?
The bread pieces should be baked for 15-20 minutes until slightly crisp but not fully dry.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The stuffing includes finely diced celery ribs and red onions.
How should the apples be prepared?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and diced before being added to the mixture.
Do I need to cook the apples on the stove?
No, the apples are stirred into the vegetables after the pot is removed from the heat so they soften slightly without overcooking.
What type of stuffing mix is used?
A 16-ounce package of herb-seasoned stuffing mix, such as Pepperidge Farm, is used.
How much butter is required for the topping?
The recipe calls for 8 tablespoons of butter or margarine cut into small pieces for dotting the top.
What gives this stuffing its unique zesty flavor?
The addition of two teaspoons of caraway seeds sprinkled across the surface provides a zesty note.
How should the chicken broth be added?
The broth should be heated to near boiling before being poured over the stuffing mixture.
What can I do if the stuffing mixture is too dry?
You can add a splash of the reserved cranberry soaking liquid to reach your desired moisture level.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 20 people.
What are the calorie counts for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 100 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 4 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides about 1.5 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 15 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
What is the sodium content for this stuffing?
One serving contains approximately 100mg of sodium.
Can I use homemade stock instead of canned broth?
Yes, the recipe allows for either canned chicken broth or homemade stock.
Which main courses pair well with this stuffing?
It pairs beautifully with roast duck, turkey, or pork.
Is this stuffing suitable for holiday meals?
Yes, it is specifically noted as an ideal complement for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.
Can this stuffing be prepared in advance?
Yes, it can be prepared in advance and baked later or used to stuff poultry immediately.
What oil should be used for sauteing the vegetables?
The recipe suggests using 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How long should I saute the celery?
The celery should be sauteed for about 1 minute before adding the onions.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
It was inspired by a memorable Thanksgiving buffet and enriched by Eastern European influences.
How should the bread be broken up?
The dark rye bread should be torn into small, bite-sized pieces.
When do I add the cranberries to the mix?
The plumped cranberries are gently folded in after the hot broth has been added.
What category of dish is this?
This dish is categorized as a side dish, specifically a bread-based stuffing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients required to make this stuffing.