Baked Chestnut and Ham Dressing
Ingredients
1 large loaf or French or Italian bread | ||
2 tbs unsalted butter | ||
2 cups diced onion | ||
1/2 lb of cooked ham, trimmed and coarsely chopped | ||
1 and 1/2 cups diced celery | ||
1 cup red bell pepper diced | ||
2 tbs dried sage crushed | ||
2 cups chicken stock | ||
1 lb chestnuts peeled and chopped | ||
4 tbs chopped parsley (curly or Italian) | ||
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste |
If you bake your dressing separately it has a much better texture and flavor than dressing steamed inside of a bird. Prepare the bread crumbs the night before so they can dry overnight. Purchase a freshly cut ham slice from the meat market. You can use the roasted and peeled chestnuts packed in jars.
- The night before, tear the bread, including crusts into small pieces and leave out uncovered.
- Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3 qt baking dish.
- In a large saute pan over medium heat melt the butter and saute the onion celery, bell pepper and ham.
- Place the bread crumbs in a large bowl. Add the sauteed vegetables and parsley and chestnuts gently mix. Add Sage.
- Slowly add stock until evenly moistened.
- Spoon loosely in into baking dish and bake until golden on top. About 40 minutes.
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