INGREDIENTS Stuffing;
10 cups Wholemeal Bread (firm), in 2.5cm cubes
1 cup Skim Milk
½ cup Butter; may need up to 3/4 cups
½ lb Vegetarian/Garlic Sausage (eg Kielbasa), in small dice
4 cups Onions, diced
1¼ cups Celery, diced
3 cups Mushrooms, in large dice
½ cup Port Wine
2 lge Garlic cloves, minced
½ cup Parsley, minced  1½ Tbsp Fresh thyme, minced (or 1½ tsp dried)
1½ tsp Dried sage, rubbed to a powder
½ cup Raisins
½ cup Dried apricots, in small dice
1 cup Pecans; roughly chopped
900g Chestnuts, roasted, peeled & broken in pieces (or 2 cups vacuum-packed, roasted, peeled & broken in pieces)
2 lge Eggs, lightly beaten
Decorative Pastry Topper (optional);
2 sheets store bought frozen Puff Pastry: defrosted
Extra Skim Milk to glaze Pastry
METHOD
Spread Bread on a baking tray and let it dry out overnight.
Place it in a large bowl, pour 1 cup Milk over, and toss lightly.
Set aside.
Preheat oven to 180-190oC
Melt ½ cup Butter in a wide skillet over medium heat.
Add the Sausage and cook, stirring often, until the meat is lightly browned. (If vegetarian sausage is used, only cook slightly to brown the outside.)
Remove it with a slotted spoon.
Cook and remove the Celery the same way.
There should still be a film of fat in the pan; if not, add up to 1/4 cup extra Butter.
Increase heat to medium high, add the Mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until browned.
Add the Mushrooms to the Bread bowl and pour the Wine into the skillet.
Stir it around to loosen all the browned bits, then pour into the Bread bowl.
Add Seasonings, Fruit and Nuts, and toss madly until all is combined.
Season to taste, then stir in the Eggs.
Add more Milk only if very dry.
Place in a greased casserole dish and bake for up to 30 minutes in moderate oven (180-190oC).
This super tasty accompaniment to a Festive Feast may be served in the casserole dish.
HANDY HINT: Optionally, you may mound cooked stuffing mix onto an ovenproof serving platter... cover with defrosted Puff Pastry Sheets, and decorate with Pastry off-cuts shaped to represent the festive occasion, as seen in the photo above.
Brush with a little milk, then bake in preheated moderate oven until Pastry is cooked and golden ... yummm!
Nutritional Recommendations: Enjoy this Festive Favourite in moderation with Family & Friends.
Jeanne Campites, Asquith, NSW
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