A straightforward holiday stuffing calls for great bread; we love the nutty, toasty dimension of a bakery whole-grain loaf. Sauté the mirepoix (a combination of onion, celery, and carrot) until tender but not browned, also called “sweating.” The added moisture will soften the bread and make for a more cohesive stuffing. Combine the wet and dry ingredients in a bowl rather than a baking dish for more even coverage, and let the mixture stand a few minutes before baking. The bread will soak up the eggy liquid like a sponge so nothing is left behind.
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until golden, stirring after 10 minutes. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic; sauté 10 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Remove pan from heat; stir in parsley, sage, salt, and pepper. Add onion mixture to bread; toss to combine.
Combine stock, butter, and eggs in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle stock mixture over bread mixture; toss. Let stand 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Spoon bread mixture into a 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until browned.