Dried Fig and Apricot Stuffing

Try something different this holiday season and mix up a batch of dried fig and apricot stuffing. The unique flavors pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey, and the recipe is so good you can use it again for Christmas!

Notes

Yield 3 cups; enough to stuff a 7 lb turkey breast or a 12-14 pound turkey.

Ingredients

5 1/2 cups slices or chunks of hard, dry baguette or leftovers from handmade bread
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/4 cup onion, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup dried figs, chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
4 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
4 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

Put the bread in a large bowl and set aside. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the onions and garlic and saute until translucent, about 3 or 4 minutes.
Add the boiling water and pour the mixture over the bread. Turn the pieces to make sure they are all soaked. Let stand for 10-15 minutes more until the bread is cool enough to handle and the water has been absorbed.
Squeeze the bread in your hands, further breaking it down, until you form a thick paste.
Add the fruits, herbs, salt and pepper and continue squeezing to incorporate them into a paste.