Description
Chestnut stuffing brings warmth from traditional French kitchens, blending roasted chestnuts with aromatic herbs and rustic bread cubes. Rich seasonal flavors invite you to savor a classic holiday side dish that connects generations through culinary comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) loaf rustic bread, diced
- 12 ounces (340 grams) precooked chestnuts, quartered
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 small yellow onions, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pint (473 milliliters) heavy cream, room temperature
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1.5 to 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Prepare oven-safe dish and heat oven to 375F (190C). Scatter bread cubes across baking sheet, toasting until crisp and golden, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- While bread toasts, melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped celery and onions with initial salt portion, cooking until vegetables become translucent and tender, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- In separate saucepan, combine remaining butter with stock, warming gently until butter completely dissolves and mixture is smooth.
- Transfer toasted bread cubes into skillet with sautéed vegetables, then gradually pour warm stock mixture, stirring carefully to ensure even distribution and prevent soggy texture.
- Incorporate cream into bread mixture, then gently fold in whisked eggs, chopped chestnuts, fresh herbs, and remaining salt, ensuring ingredients are evenly integrated.
- Transfer stuffing mixture into greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Dot surface with small butter pieces to enhance browning and richness.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350F (175C), then bake stuffing for 45-55 minutes until top turns golden brown and center becomes firm and set.
Notes
- Customize bread type for dietary needs, using gluten-free, whole wheat, or sourdough options to match personal preferences and nutritional goals.
- Toast bread cubes until perfectly golden for enhanced crunch and deeper flavor development, ensuring even texture throughout the stuffing.
- Chop chestnuts finely to distribute flavor evenly and prevent large chunks that might disrupt the smooth, cohesive texture of the stuffing.
- Adjust butter quantities for lighter versions by substituting olive oil or using less butter, making the recipe more heart-healthy without sacrificing rich taste.
- Prep Time: 20-22 mins
- Cook Time: 49-62 mins
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg