Time for Turkey

Most everyone loves the stuffing on Thanksgiving day - so we will start there. Baking the stuffing in the turkey always makes the stuffing taste better from the turkey juices but can result in a longer cooking time sometimes drying out the turkey. This is my adapted recipe from one that appeared many moons ago in Bon Appetit and has directions for pan baking not turkey baking. However you want to bake the stuffing make sure there is plenty to go around :)

1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1 (1-pound) loaf crusty country-style white bread
1/4 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 large garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups finely chopped shallots
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery
1 1/4 cups diced pancetta or a high quality apple wood smoked bacon
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup toasted husked hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth or turkey stock, heated
4 ounces chilled fresh goat cheese, crumbled into 1/2-inch pieces

DO AHEAD Bread cubes and vegetable mixture can be made 1 day ahead.Cover separately. Store bread at room temperature.
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut bread with crust into 1-inch cubes (10 cups loosely packed). Place in large bowl. Add oil, thyme, and garlic; toss. Spread out on large rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until golden and slightly crunchy, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Return to same large bowl.
2. Place cherries in bowl; cover with boiling water. Let stand until soft, about 15 minutes. Drain.

3. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add pancetta and brown, then add shallots and celery, sauté until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.
5. Mix in parsley and cherries. Chill vegetables.

DAY OF:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Butter 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish.
3. Stir vegetables and nuts into bread cubes.
4. Add hot broth, tossing to coat. Mix in cheese. Transfer to dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down.
5. Bake until heated through, about 25 minutes.
6. Uncover and bake until top is brown, about 25 minutes longer, and serve.
ENJOY!!