Apple Sage Stuffing

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 2 cups no-salt-added chicken broth
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh sage or 2 tsp dried sage, crumbled
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme, crumbled
• 24 cups French bread cubes
• 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Heat oil in a large frypan over medium heat. Sauté onions and celery until softened, about 4 – 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Pour in apple juice and simmer, loosening browned bits, until almost fully reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil. Add butter, sage and thyme. Remove from heat and stir until butter is melted.
3. Combine bread cubes, apples, broth mixture, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Transfer bread mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until golden brown and liquid is absorbed, about 15 – 20 minutes.