Chestnut, Apple & Pancetta Dressing
This Chestnut, Apple & Pancetta Dressing is baked outside the bird, to let the meat cook more evenly and eliminate any food-safety concerns.
Chestnut, Apple & Pancetta Dressing
Photo Credit : Heath RobbinsChestnut dressing is, well, an old Thanksgiving chestnut, and for good reason. We love the way the sweet nuts pair with the onions and rosemary. We added even deeper flavor with sweet apples and salty pancetta. This Chestnut, Apple & Pancetta Dressing is baked outside the bird, to let the meat cook more evenly and eliminate any food-safety concerns.
Yield:
8 to 10 servingsIngredients
Salted butter (for baking dish)
1 pound loaf crusty white bread
6 ounces pancetta or bacon, chopped
1 pound white or yellow onions, diced
1 large celery stalk, diced
2 medium-size firm-sweet apples, such as ‘Golden Delicious’ or ‘Pink Lady’ (unpeeled), diced
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 cups medium-sweet hard cider, such as Harpoon brand
1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups roasted chestnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter and set aside.
Tear bread into 2-inch chunks. Working in three batches, pulse bread in food processor just enough so that you have some finely ground pieces and some 1-inch chunks, 15 to 20 seconds. Divide between two large rimmed baking sheets; toast in oven until lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, cook pancetta or bacon until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Drain fat into a glass measuring cup. Return 3 tablespoons fat to pan; discard the rest. Add onions, celery, apples, rosemary, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent and lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Transfer toasted breadcrumbs to a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together cider, broth, and eggs. Pour over breadcrumbs; then add chestnuts and onion/apple mixture. Crumble pancetta or bacon and add to the mixture. Use clean hands to gently toss all together. Transfer to prepared baking dish and bake until browned on top, about 35 minutes.
