Baking stuffing outside the turkey is known as "dressing" or "stuffing casserole." It's a popular alternative for those who prefer not to cook stuffing inside the turkey for food safety reasons or to accommodate vegetarians who avoid meat-based cooking. Here's a simple recipe to bake stuffing outside the turkey:
Ingredients:
- 8 cups of bread cubes (use dry and stale bread for best results)
- 1 cup of diced onions
- 1 cup of diced celery
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 2-3 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons of dried sage
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Bread Cubes: Cut the bread into small cubes and spread them on a baking sheet. You can leave the bread cubes out for a few hours or toast them in the oven for 10-15 minutes to dry them out further. Dry or stale bread absorbs the flavors better.
Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions and celery, and cook until they become soft and translucent. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Season the Vegetables: Add the dried sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
Mix the Bread Cubes: Place the dried bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Pour the sautéed vegetable mixture over the bread cubes and mix everything together until the bread cubes are coated with the seasonings.
Add Broth: Gradually pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the bread mixture. Stir gently until the bread absorbs the liquid. The amount of broth you need may vary depending on the desired moisture level. The stuffing should be moist but not soggy.
Transfer to a Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish and transfer the stuffing mixture into it, spreading it out evenly.
Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from burning. Bake the stuffing in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
Uncover and Continue Baking: Remove the foil and continue baking the stuffing for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the top becomes crispy and golden brown.
Serve: Once the stuffing is cooked through and has a nice golden crust, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it as a delicious side dish to complement your meal.
Enjoy your flavorful stuffing casserole, cooked outside the turkey!