Sylvie’s Brioche and Chicken Apple Sausage Stuffing

A note from Sylvie:

I like to experiment with this dish and use different types of breads to make my holiday stuffing. Brioche adds a unique, rich sweetness that I just love. It is best to buy the brioche a couple of days ahead of time to allow it to dry before using it. I also like to toast it in the oven for a few minutes. This prevents the stuffing from getting too wet and mushy. We are lucky to have great bakeries in town ,and I used the brioche from Café de Paris.

1 Brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp ground Ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp dried Thyme

1 tsp dried Rosemary

1 tsp dried Oregano

1 tsp dried Sage

1 tsp Celery Salt

1 medium Yam, peeled and cubed

1 lb. Apple Chicken Sausage (I used the Boise Co-op house made sausages), chopped

1 medium Red Onion (I used King Crown Local), minced

3 stalks Celery, sliced

1 medium Leek, washed, sliced

1-½ c. Spinach

1 Pear, peeled, cored and cubed

2 Tbsp dried Cherries

1/2 cup Chicken Broth, more if needed

3 Tbsp Maple syrup

3 Tbsp toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl mix together cubed brioche and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Make sure to coat the bread well. Place on a baking sheet and toast for 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside.

In a large skillet heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the ginger, cinnamon, thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage and celery salt and cook for 2 minutes. Add the yam and cook, uncovered, on low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the sausage and cook for 10 minutes. Add the onion, celery, leek, spinach, pear, and dried cherries, cook for 5 more minutes then add the broth and maple syrup. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until liquids have been absorbed. Season with salt and pepper. 

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, let it cool, then add the toasted brioche and toasted pumpkin seeds. This dish can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. 

To re-heat, drizzle with a small amount of maple syrup and place in the oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Bon appétit!