APPLE, TURNIP AND SAGE DRESSING

Apple, Turnip and Sage Dressing image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 1h50m

Yield about 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 stalks celery, stalks trimmed of leaves and ends, washed, dried and cut into 1/4-inch thick half moons
8 slices white sandwich bread
1 teaspoon dry rosemary
10 fresh sage leaves, stemmed and cut into thin strips
4 medium turnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick cubes
1 teaspoon ground allspice
3 medium yellow onions, peeled, halved and cut into thin slices
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 pound loose pork breakfast sausage, broken into small pieces and cooked
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock, boiled and cooled
1 stick to 1 1/4 sticks (8 to 10 tablespoons) unsalted butter
4 medium Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled and cut into 8 to 10 even wedges

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large skillet, melt 1/4 stick (2 tablespoons) of the butter. Add the apple wedges and onions. Season with the sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat until the apples and onions become slightly tender and yielding but still hold their shape, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the celery and cook to soften it slightly, about 2 additional minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the contents to a bowl. Set aside.
Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast until light brown. Alternatively, brown them in a toaster. While the bread is still hot, lightly butter both sides of each piece. Cut into 1-inch squares and transfer them to a large bowl. Toss with the rosemary, sage and some salt and pepper. Mix to blend. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet and add 1 tablespoon of the butter. When it melts, stir in the turnip cubes and sprinkle with the allspice. Season with salt and cook over medium heat until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
Combine the apple, onion and celery mixture with the cooked breakfast sausage and turnips in the bowl containing the toasted bread. Mix to blend, and add the chicken stock to moisten all of the ingredients.
Place into a rectangular baking dish and bake until golden and cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.