Maple Apple & Sausage Stuffing

OK, so here's another recipe for your arsenal to pull off a fantastic spread on the big day.  

I have never been much of a stuffing connoisseur until I tried this recipe.  I got it at a cooking show way back in my bakery days.  It's not to hard to make, but you have to plan ahead.  Anyway, hope you like it too!

*prep time: 30 minutes  {plus overnight stand time}

Cook time: 1 1/2 hours total

Ingredients:

1 1/2 loaves day-old french bread {you can use whatever favorite you like, I prefer the crusty ones}

2-8 oz. Packages Farmer John skinless maple links

1/4 cup butter

2 medium onions, coarsely chopped

2 large red apples, cored and diced

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped celery

2 cups apple cider

2-14 1/2 oz. cans chicken broth

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage

1/2 cup slide almonds

Directions:

Cut bread into 1 1/2 inch chunks and lay flat on baking sheets overnight to dry.

Preheat oven to 350.

Brown sausage in a large skillet breaking it up until it is cooked thoroughly.

Drain fat and melt butter in skillet.  Add onions and cook for 5 minutes. 

Add apples and celery cook for 5 minutes more.

Place stale bread and vegetable mixture in a large mixing bowl.

Slowly our cider and broth over bread, stirring to evenly coat with liquid.

Stir in herbs.

Lightly butter a 9X13 casserole dish.  Pour bread and veggie mixture into dish and sprinkle with almonds.

Bake for at least 1 hour or until temp. reaches 165.

mmmm....mmmm...mmmm