Classic Sage and Sausage Dressing

By Coppermouse

Cooking.com Tip: Don't use dried herbs for this classic side dish. For full-bodied flavor, add freshly chopped herbs

Ingredients

• 1 pound French bread, crusts trimmed, cut in 3/4-inch cubes (about 9 cups)
• 12 ounces sage-flavored bulk pork sausage (or regular pork sausage)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 1/4 cups thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only)
• 1 1/2 cups thin-sliced celery
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage (if using regular pork sausage, use 3 tablespoons sage)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly milled black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups (about) canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Fresh sage and thyme sprigs

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter 13x9x2-inch ceramic baking dish. Arrange bread cubes in single layer on large baking sheet. Bake until bread is golden brown and crisp, stirring once, about 25 minutes. Transfer bread to large bowl.

Meanwhile, cook sausage in heavy large skillet over medium heat until browned, cutting into small pieces with back of spoon, about 8 minutes. Transfer sausage to bowl with bread.

Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and celery, and sauté until very tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Transfer vegetable mixture to bread mixture. Toss bread mixture with enough broth to moisten. (Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Whisk eggs and baking powder in small bowl to blend. Drizzle egg mixture over dressing; toss to blend. Transfer dressing to prepared baking dish. Cover and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake until lightly browned and crusty on top, about 15 minutes longer. Garnish with sage and thyme sprigs and serve