Just try it: My Thanksgiving dressing recipe

I love Thanksgiving because it gives me an opportunity to make dressing.

I love this so much, but I feel like I can only make it once a year -- too many calories! I have been making this just about every year since 2002.

It's so easy and everyone loves it! You can also make pretty easy adjustments for the vegan or vegetarian in your life.

Sausage and apple stuffing
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. sourdough bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 package of maple pork sausage
2 T butter
1 large onion 
3 large celery stalks, chopped
2 apples, chopped (any kind)
2 T thyme
3/4 cup chicken stock
2 eggs, beaten
2 T extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper for taste


Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Place the bread cubes in a large baking pan and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. You may have to stir. Transfer to a big bowl.


In a frying pan, cook the sausage, crumbling with a fork. Cook for about 10 minutes until browned and transfer to the bowl with the bread.

Using the same sausage pan, add the butter to the drippings and cook the onion and celery until tender, about 8 minutes. Then add the apples and thyme for another minute or so. Add to the bowl with sausage and bread.

Next, add the stock to the pan to pick up any browned bits. Bring it to a boil and then add to the bowl. Beat the eggs then mix them in the bowl, too. 

To bake in a dish, preheat an oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 13 x 9 baking dish and spoon the stuffing into it. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is crisp, which is about 30 more minutes.

If you're baking in a turkey, fill the cavity and increase the roasting time of the turkey by 30 minutes. You will probably still need a baking dish to cook the remaining stuffing.

I would love to hear your favorite Thanksgiving Day recipes!