Caramelized Apple, Sausage & Fennel Stuffing

Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 12 ounces sourdough bread, cut into 1/2 inch pieces. you can use pre-cut, pre-toasted bread as well
• 3 italian sausage, links. (i use two sweet and one hot)
• 5 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 cups chopped onions
• 1 1/4 cups sliced fennel bulbs (one large bunch)
• 1 1/4 cups chopped carrots
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed fennel seed
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups chopped golden delicious apples (about 3 apples)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (i use low sodium)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 large eggs

Recipe

• 1 1. preheat oven to 400°.
• 2 2. arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. bake at 400° for 16 minutes or until golden, stirring after 8 minutes. place in a large bowl.
• 3 3. heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. remove casings from sausage. coat pan with cooking spray. add sausage to pan; cook 8 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. add sausage to bread.
• 4 4. return pan to medium-high heat. add 3 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. add onion and next 5 ingredients (through garlic). add 1/4 teaspoon pepper; sauté 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. add vegetables to sausage mixture.
• 5 5. return pan to medium-high heat. add remaining 2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. add apple and sugar; sauté 5 minutes or until apple caramelizes, stirring occasionally. add to the sausage mixture.
• 6 6. combine broth (not too much! it will be mushy) and eggs in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. add broth mixture and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper to sausage mixture; toss well to combine.
• 7 7. spoon sausage mixture into a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. cover with foil. bake at 400° for 20 minutes. uncover dish; bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until browned and crisp.
• 8 8. enjoy!