Sausage Raisin Stuffing

Sausage. Raisins. Bread. And other good stuff.

I realize that stuffing feels like a Thanksgiving food, but if you like to throw a more formal Christmas celebration, consider this newish take on the usual stuffing. (Or dressing, I guess, if you're not stuffing a bird -- and I don't.)

This recipe from Real Simple is a little bit vegetabley, a little bit buttery, a lot bit good. The recipe calls for golden raisins, I went with the regular old ones. The world kept on turning.

Sausage Raisin Stuffing

• 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick), plus more for the dish and foil
• 1 small loaf country bread, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 12 cups)
• 3/4 pound pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 4 leeks (white and light green parts), chopped
• 4 carrots, cut into small matchsticks
• Salt and black pepper
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 3 large eggs, beaten

Heat oven to 375° F. Butter a 3-quart baking dish. Place the bread on a large rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing once, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up, until browned, 7 minutes. Add to the bread.

Wipe out the skillet and melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks, carrots, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the broth and raisins; bring to a boil. Add to the bread.

Add the parsley and eggs to the bread mixture and toss to combine. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover loosely with buttered foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

The food: Sausage raisin stuffing

The verdict: Destined to become a Christmas classic