Magic Stuffing

*** this recipe is NOT gluten-free ***

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, today I will share my formerly super-secret but completely, totally, and utterly delicious "magic stuffing" recipe.  This is one that I made up all on my own, just winging it one evening a year or two ago.  It plays on the tastes of the season, utilizing apples and apple cider.  And it's soooooo good! -- I really think I hit one out of the park here.   :)

A nice alternative to the usual meaty, buttery, fatty ones that we oftentimes see around this time of year -- this quick, easy, fresh, and healthy stuffing will go wonderfully with (or in) your turkey.  It's also great rolled into pounded out chicken breasts and then baked off.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (you could probably get away with even less by using a non-stick pan)
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 large stalks of celery, chopped
• ½ of a large yellow onion, chopped
• 6 “baby bella” mushrooms, chopped
• 1 medium apple (I use Gala), chopped
• 1 tablespoon of savory leaves (not ground)
• 12 slices of Arnold 12-Grain Bread, stale and cubed
• 2 cups apple cider           

PROCESS

1. If the bread isn’t already stale, pop the slices into the oven on low heat to dry them out.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the garlic, celery and onion, along with ½ of the savory, until soft and fragrant.
3. Then add the mushrooms, apple, and the remainder of the savory, and sauté further.
4. Finally, add the cubed bread and the apple cider, and mix until everything is moist and well incorporated.

You will get about 12 one-half-cup servings, each with a pleasing:

• 166 calories
• 6 grams protein
• 30 grams carbs
• 4 grams fat
• 4 grams fiber
• 185 mg sodium