Thanksgiving Recipes - Pear, Prosciutto & Hazelnut Stuffing

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Nov 17th 2009 @ 1:45PM

The stuffing on your holiday table is endlessly adaptable -- as seen in this hearty, bold-flavored version.

Get this stuffing recipe along with many others after the jump.

Pear, Prosciutto & Hazelnut Stuffing
Provided by EatingWell

3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
4 ounces prosciutto thinly sliced, cut into ribbons
2 cups onion chopped
2 cups diced fennel bulb
1/4 cup minced shallot
2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
8 cups stale baguette preferably multi-grain (not sourdough), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 Bosc pears ripe but firm, chopped
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts toasted
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add prosciutto; cook, stirring, until crispy, about 5 minutes. Drain on a paper towel.

Wipe out the pan and heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, fennel and shallot and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add sage, thyme and rosemary and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Transfer everything to a large bowl and gently stir in bread, pears, parsley, hazelnuts and the prosciutto. Add broth; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the stuffing into the prepared baking dish; cover with foil.

Bake for 40 minutes; remove the foil and bake until the top is beginning to crisp, 25 to 30 minutes more.

Note: If you don't have stale bread ready to use, spread the baguette cubes on a baking sheet and toast at 250°F until crisped and dry, about 15 minutes.

Tip: To toast chopped nuts & seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Check out more stuffing/dressing recipes. Plus, a cornucopia of other Thanksgiving recipes at KitchenDaily.

Filed Under: Holidays
Tags: dressing, dressing recipes, fall, stuffing, stuffing recipes, thanksgiving, thanksgiving recipes