Nurturing My Inner Me: Nurturing my inner... when the past meets the present, pt 3

If you read my previous two posts, this needs no introduction. We're on to Part 3 of my first, I-swear-I-made-it-all-by-myself, Thanksgiving dinner.

Part 3: Apple, Sausage and Herb Dressing

1/2 lb sausage
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
1/2 apple, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cups stuffing cubes
2 sprigs sage, chopped
2 sprigs rosemary, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup turkey broth
1 egg, beaten
2 tsps butter

Think of this item as mostly homemade with just a little prepackaged lending hand.

I'm sure any of the many flavors would do.

I used half a package of sausage and chose the savory one because I felt it would work best with the flavors I wanted to happen. What I liked about this brand was that the sausage was finely ground.

I try to break into small pieces from the start.

In just a short while, and with me using a wooden spoon to continue to chop into as small pieces, each piece gets crispy edges. I want that before I put the sausage in with everything else so that I get all kinds of texture.

Browned edges.

Fruit and veggies needed to be prepared next. Apple is often paired with sausage, guess it's that sweet with spicy thing, and dressing always seems to have onion and celery.

Great sweet, sharp and crunchy combo.

I didn't want the apple in very large pieces, so I tried to cut it to match the celery.

Kind of like the monochromatic feel.

Into a pan and a quick saute to make the onions translucent and the apples and celery just a bit soft.

Happens quite quickly.

When I went to the store, I had every intention of buying plain cubed stuffing mix. But the bags of it were just ginormous! I knew I didn't need that much, which made it impractical to purchase. I also realized I would have to buy poultry seasoning and figure out what else should go into the cubes to flavor them. So when I happened upon some Stove Top (I know, I sound like a commercial), I figured that was a good compromise. I was using a little box mix, but adding a lot of fresh ingredients to it. There was peace in my soul about it.

Don't be afraid to take a helping hand.

Into a glass bowl.

Could always use stale bread, if you
were particularly ambitious.

On top of that went the sausage and the veggie/fruit blend.

Building up the layers of flavor.

I had planned all along on carrying the flavors I was using in the turkey into the dressing. (Which apparently is the word for stuffing when you don't actually stuff it into the bird.)

Fresh herbs make all the difference.

I took maybe a dozen sage leaves and couple sprigs of rosemary and chopped them up somewhat fine.

The awesome flavor is released.

Add the herbs to the bowl, pour in the turkey broth and mix it all up. Then add the beaten egg and mix it some more. The egg helps it to bake up light and fluffy. Gives it some lift.