Description
Savory Chestnut Stuffing weaves rustic comfort through classic holiday cuisine, blending earthy chestnuts with aromatic herbs and rich seasonal flavors. Generations of home cooks will cherish this traditional side dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups chestnuts
- 2 (1 pound) loaves day-old bread, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups butter
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Binding Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Create cross-shaped incisions on chestnut shells and submerge in boiling water for precisely 25 minutes to facilitate easy peeling.
- Remove chestnuts from water, carefully peel away outer and inner skins, then meticulously chop into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a spacious ceramic baking dish with a light butter coating.
- In a heavy skillet, melt butter over medium heat, allowing it to become fragrant and slightly golden.
- Introduce finely diced onions to the butter, sautéing until translucent and soft, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add chopped chestnuts to the skillet, incorporating aromatic herbs, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper, stirring continuously for 3 minutes.
- Transfer sautéed mixture to a large mixing bowl containing dried bread cubes, ensuring even distribution.
- Whisk eggs and milk together in a separate container, creating a smooth, uniform liquid.
- Gently pour egg mixture over bread and chestnut combination, folding delicately to maintain bread cube integrity.
- Transfer stuffing to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until surface turns golden brown and crisp edges form.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly peeled chestnuts by scoring an ‘X’ on the flat side before boiling to prevent them from exploding and make skin removal easier.
- Enhance flavor depth by using day-old bread cubes, which absorb liquid more effectively and create a better texture for stuffing.
- Customize the stuffing by adding herbs like sage, thyme, or rosemary to complement different protein dishes and add aromatic complexity.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting regular bread cubes with gluten-free bread or cornbread for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 28 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 444
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg