I used to only love a sausage based stuffing but this one, that my mother in law has been making this for years off a gorcery store recipe, is so good it doesn't feel like you're giving up anything.
YOU WILL NEED:
Onion
Celery
Fresh herbs: parsley, rosemary and sage
1 # good bread (get a hearty cranberry pecan loaf or something similar), cubed
32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth
Dried apricots
Pecans, chopped or pieces
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350°
Sauté in 2-3 T olive oil over low-medium heat (I do this in a 3 quart Dutch oven):
2/3 cup onion, finely chopped
2/3 cup celery, finely chopped
1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
3-4 T fresh sage and rosemary, finely chopped
1 T hometown or blended seasoning
Cook for 3-4 minutes until everything softens a bit. Add cubed bread and broth. Stir well. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat a small skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add:
2/3 cup dried apricots, sliced into strips
2/3 cup pecan pieces
1 t sugar
Cook until syrupy and the pecans are toasted. Add to stuffing and mix well. Season to taste.
Cover well and bake for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes more, until the top is nicely browned. Serve.