Fennel & Herb Stuffing

• Ready In: 1 hr 23 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 8  cups  1/2-inch day-old  Italian bread, cubed
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  lb turkey sausage, casings removed
• 1  large fennel bulb, chopped
• 2  cups  chopped onions
• 1  tablespoon  crushed fennel seed
• 1 1⁄2 large red bell peppers, chopped
• 2  tablespoons  chopped thyme
• 2  tablespoons  chopped marjoram
• 2  teaspoons dried rubbed sage
• 2⁄3 cup dry white wine
• 3⁄4 cup  chicken stock or 3⁄4 cup  vegetable stock
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
•  salt and pepper

Directions

1. For the stuffing, toast the bread cubes in a shallow baking dish at 400 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown.
2. Heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the sausage and cook until brown and crumbly, stirring frequently.
4. Add the fennel, onion, and fennel seeds.
5. Cook for 10 minutes or until fennel and onion are tender, stirring frequently.
6. Add the bell peppers, thyme, marjoram and sage.
7. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the bell peppers are tender, stirring frequently.
8. Stir in the wine.
9. Cook until reduced by three-fourths.
10. Add with stock and 1/4 cup olive oil to the bread crumbs in a large bowl and mix well.
11. Season with salt and pepper.
12. Spoon evenly into a buttered 7 1/2 x 11-inch baking pan.
13. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
14. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 20 minutes or until golden brown.