Don't Forget the STUFFING!

Mushroom Artichoke Stuffing. Say it with me: Mushroom. Artichoke. Stuffing. This is a far cry from your "stovetop". This isn't grocery store brand croutons with butter. This is real deal, almost meaty, stuffing with flavor, healthy vegetables, and pizazz. 

I said, PIZAZZ.

Now, I get it. You already like stuffing. You don't need to 'jazz it up'. It's perfectly fine the way it is. 

Except for the fact that it's not, and you do. 

Stuffing (or dressing if we're not actually 'stuffing' it into anything) is pretty easy to like. It's bread, and butter, and seasonings, and broth with a few vegetables MAYBE thrown in to make it a little less brown. But it could be so much more. By adding some mushrooms to give it a hearty, meaty texture, and some artichokes to punch up the flavor, you make this tired dish a bit more interesting and a lot more nutritious.

This recipe has few ingredients, it's easy to prepare and although stuffing is never  really healthy, per se, this recipe is definitely a few leaps in the right direction. (and it IS Thanksgiving, so, it's allowed.)

Mushroom Artichoke Stuffing

Gather:

1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock

2 eggs

12 oz toasted sourdough bread cubes. (cube and toast yourself!)

1 tbsp olive oil

12 oz mushrooms. (I recommend a mixture of crimini, porcini, oyster, and shiitake)

1 tbsp fresh thyme

9 oz artichokes (canned or thawed from frozen)

2 tsp fresh garlic, minced

1 oz shaved parmesan

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Method:

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock and 2 eggs. Add 12 ounces toasted sourdough bread cubes.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. Sauté 12 ounces exotic mushroom blend and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 6 minutes. 

3. Add artichokes, minced garlic,  pepper, and salt; sauté 2 minutes. Stir into bread mixture.

4. Bake stuffing at 350° for 45 minutes in an 11 x 7-inch ­baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese after baking.

Now, try out that recipe, add it your repertoire. And remember, Norton Fitness is looking out for you, even on the fattest holidays.