Recipe: Sourdough Bread Stuffing with Pecans, Leeks and Mushrooms

Sourdough Bread Stuffing with Pecans, Leeks and Mushrooms

You don't need a whole roast chicken or turkey to enjoy this stuffing since it's baked outside the bird. For complete ease, buy ready-cooked chicken, blanch a green vegetable and serve both with this homemade stuffing. It'll taste like a meal that took all afternoon to prepare.

1 lb. good-quality sourdough bread
3 large leeks
6 tablespoons butter, divided
2 stalks celery, chopped
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 1 3/4 cups)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup Georgia pecan halves
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 large egg, beaten

Heat broiler.

Trim the crusts from bread and discard. Cut bread into 3/4 -inch cubes and spread on a baking sheet.

Broil 3 minutes or until lightly toasted; turn over bread cubes and broil 3 minutes longer. Set bread aside.

Heat oven to 350F. Butter a 9-inch-square baking pan.

Remove and discard the tough outer leaves of the leeks. Trim the dark green tops and discard (or reserve for soup making). Cut the leeks in half lengthwise and rinse well, fanning out the leaves to remove any dirt. Finely chop.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and celery; cook 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and salt; cook 5 minutes, stirring. Remove from heat and add the pecans.

Heat broth, honey, the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, the thyme and sage to a simmer. Stir into bread to moisten. Fold in the leek and pecan mixture, then fold in the egg.

Spread in the prepared pan and bake 40 minutes or until browned and center is firm.

Servings: 8
Source: Georgia Pecan Commission