Rustic Porcini Onion Stuffing

Unlike many stuffings, which are cooked inside the turkey and/or include chicken broth, this wild mushroom version is completely vegetarian. Packed with the robust essence of dried porcini, it will win the approval of everyone at the table.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1 (1 1/2lb)  thick round loaves  crusty bread, torn into 1-inch pieces (20 cups)
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, plus additional for greasing dish
• 4 1⁄2 cups  boiling-hot water
• 2  ounces dried porcini mushrooms (sometimes called cepes, 54 g)
• 10  ounces fresh white mushrooms, cut into 1/2-inch wedges (3 cups)
• 1  large onion, halved lengthwise, then sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
• 4  large shallots, quartered
• 2  celery ribs, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 2  medium carrots, halved lengthwise, then sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  chopped fresh sage
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 1⁄4 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spread bread in 2 large shallow baking pans and bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, stirring occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through baking, until dry, 20 to 25 minutes total. Transfer bread to a large bowl.
3. Increase oven temperature to 450°F and butter a 13- by 9-inch baking dish (3-quart capacity).
4. Pour boiling-hot water over porcini and soak 20 minutes, then drain in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, squeezing porcini and reserving soaking liquid. Rinse porcini under cold water to remove any grit, then squeeze out excess water and coarsely chop.
5. While porcini soak, heat butter (1 stick) in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then cook white mushrooms, onion, and shallots, stirring occasionally, until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Add celery, carrots, garlic, and porcini and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Stir in thyme, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper, then add vegetables to bread, tossing to combine.
6. Add 1 cup reserved porcini-soaking liquid to skillet and deglaze by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Add remaining soaking liquid and salt and pepper to taste and pour over bread mixture, tossing to coat evenly.
7. Spread stuffing in baking dish and cover tightly with buttered foil (buttered side down), then bake in upper third of oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake stuffing until top is browned, 10 to 15 minutes more.
8. Cooks' notes:
9. • Stuffing can be assembled (but not baked) 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.
10. • Stuffing can be baked 6 hours ahead and kept, uncovered, at room temperature. Reheat, uncovered, in a 350°F oven (with sweet-potato brûlée, if making) until hot, about 30 minutes (test center with a wooden pick for warmth).