Cider, Bacon, and Golden Raisin Stuffing

Ingredients

• •¼ cup unsalted butter
• •1 loaf country bread
• •1 loaf whole grain bread
• •6 cups apple cider
• •¾ cup golden raisins
• •½ cup apple cider vinegar
• •1 pound thick-cut smoked bacon
• •1 head celery
• •2 whole apples
• •4 whole shallots
• •2 cloves garlic
• •2 teaspoons thyme
• •1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• •¾ teaspoon black pepper
• •¾ cup parsley
• •1¼ cups chicken broth
• •2 whole eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Preheat oven to 325ºF. Butter a 13x9x2" baking dish.

   5 min

2. 2.

   Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Toast, stirring occasionally, until dry and crisp, 25-30 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to a very large bowl.

   30 min

3. 3.

   Meanwhile, bring cider to a boil in a large wide pot and cook until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

   40 min

4. 4.

   Bring raisins, vinegar, and 2 Tbsp. water just to a simmer in a small skillet over medium heat to warm through. Transfer to a small bowl; let cool, then drain.

   10 min

5. 5.

   Cook bacon in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain (do not wipe out skillet).

   15 min

6. 6.

   Heat 1/4 cup butter in same skillet over medium-high until melted. Add chopped celery stalks, apples, shallots, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10-12 minutes.

   12 min

7. 7.

   Add celery mixture, celery leaves, raisins, bacon, and parsley to bread cubes and toss to combine. Mix in reserved cider and 1 1/4 cups broth.

   10 min

8. 8.

   Beat eggs in a small bowl, then stir into stuffing; add more broth if stuffing is dry. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Bake stuffing until cooked through and golden brown on top, about 1 hour.

   60 min

9. 9.

   Stuffing mixture can be prepared up until step before adding the eggs 1 day ahead; cover and chill.