Christmas Day Stuffing Recipe
This stuffing is my only request on Christmas Day in our household. The savory flavors and the toasty hazelnuts make it a real treat beside most Christmas mains like chicken, turkey, ham and pork! This recipe and wine pairing is designed to fit into the family style Christmas Dinner you probably already have planned!
Ingredients
½ lb of bacon, diced
⅔ cup of whole hazelnuts
1 ½ cup celery, diced
½ an yellow or white onion, diced
5 cups fresh bread cubes
2 tsp poultry seasoning
½ cup chicken stock
salt and pepper
Method
In a large pot, cook the diced bacon until browned on medium heat, stirring regularly. Add the hazelnuts and allow to toast in the bacon fat for about 1 minute. Add the onions and celery and cook and stir for 3 minutes until the vegetables soften. Add the poultry seasoning and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat. Fold in the bread cubes until well combined. Add half a cup of chicken stock**. The stuffing should be moist and stick together, but should not mush under the spoon. Grease a loaf pan or small casserole dish and pour the stuffing in. Pack lightly. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, removing the foil for the last 5 minutes.
If using dried grocery store bread, you will probably need to double the amount of stock added.
Serve with the wine slightly chilled- remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to serving. Be sure to click the link at the top of this page for my tasting note video!
Randi Tastes a Wine from Beaujolais
Delicious Pairings with Burgundian and Beaujolais Wines
Brie, Camembert and other soft cheeses
Game meats like Cornish Hen, Quail, or Veal
Mushroom and truffles
Toasted nuts like hazelnuts and walnuts
Cranberries