Turkey with Apple Stuffing Recipe

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups chopped celery
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup butter, cubed
• 9 cups day-old cubed whole wheat bread
• 3 cups finely chopped apples
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds)
• Additional butter, melted

Directions

• In a Dutch oven, saute celery and onion in butter until tender. Remove from the heat; stir in the bread cubes, apples, raisins, salt, thyme, sage and pepper.
• Just before baking, loosely stuff turkey with 4 cups stuffing. Place remaining stuffing in a greased 2-qt. baking dish; refrigerate until ready to bake. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Place breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Brush with melted butter.
• Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 3-3/4 to 4 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 180° for the turkey and 165° for the stuffing, basting occasionally with pan drippings. (Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly.)
• Bake additional stuffing, covered, for 20-30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Cover turkey and let stand for 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving. If desired, thicken pan drippings for gravy. Yield: 10-12 servings.
  
  Editor’s Note: Stuffing may be prepared as directed and baked separately in a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 325° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer or until lightly browned.

Turkey with Apple Stuffing published in Taste of Home October/November 2006, p8