Herb and Apple Stuffing

Ingredients

• 16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or whole wheat (2 baguettes)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cups medium-diced yellow onion (2 large)
• 2 cups medium-diced celery (3 large stalks)
• 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored, and large diced
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds, toasted (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Put the bread cubes on a 13 by 18 by 1-inch baking sheet and bake them in the oven for 7 minutes.
3. In a large sauté pan, melt the butter and add the onion, celery, apples, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 10 minutes, until the mixture is soft.
4. Combine the bread cubes and cooked vegetables in a large bowl and add the chicken stock and almonds, if desired.
5. Place the stuffing into the main cavity of the turkey and into the neck of the bird. Cook a 12-pound turkey for 2 1/2 hours at 350°F in a preheated oven. Make sure the stuffing in the cavity is secured by wrapping the legs tightly with string.