Cranberry, Sausage and Apple Stuffing

Cranberry, Sausage and Apple Stuffing

This recipe is from allrecipes

Next time I make it I plan to add chestnuts in honor of my mom!!!!!

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1/4 cup butter
• 6 cups coarsely chopped leeks
• 3 tart apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 4 teaspoons poultry seasoning

• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 12 cups white bread cubes, baked until slightly dry (NOTE: I make a loaf of bread)
• 1 1/3 cups chicken stock
• salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook and stir sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, crumbling coarsely, for about 10 minutes. Remove sausage to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Empty pan of grease.
2. Into the same pan melt the butter. 
3. (NOTE: it takes a lot of chopping and super great to have a good chopper inthe kitchen with you.)
4. Add the leeks or onions, apples, celery and poultry seasoning; cook until softened, about 10 minutes. 
5. Add the rosemary, dried cranberries and cooked sausage. 
6. (NOTE: I made it to this point and waited until Thanksgiving morning to combine with the bread cubes,)
7. Mix all with the dried bread cubes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Moisten with the chicken stock.
8. NOTE: I don't stuff the turkey. I put in a large roasting pan and baked in a covered buttered casserole at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes to brown top. I do this while the turkey rests.