Bacon, Apple and Fanel Suffing

This smoky stuffing shows off sweet-tart heirloom apples.  10 servings

By Nancy Oakes and Pamela Mazzola

Photograph by Misha Gravenor

Ingredients

• 10 cups 1-inch cubes country-style white bread with crust
• 1 pound applewood-smoked bacon slices, coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)
• 2 3/4 cups (or more) low-salt chicken broth, divided
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 4 cups finely chopped onions
• 6 cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled cored sweet-tart heirloom apples (such as Arkansas Black; about 5 large) or other sweet-tart apples (such as Pink Lady)
• 2 cups finely chopped fresh fennel bulbs
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 large eggs, beaten to blend
• 2/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, divided

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread bread cubes on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Toast until light golden and crisp around edges, about 20 minutes. Cool completely.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine bacon and 4 cups water in large saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Drain, discarding liquid. Place bacon in large roasting pan. Pour 2 cups chicken broth over. Roast until broth evaporates and bacon begins to crisp around edges, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and 1 cup water; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until water evaporates, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; sauté until onions are soft, about 5 minutes longer.
• Remove roasting pan with bacon from oven; reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Mix cooked onions, apples, fennel, and celery into bacon in roasting pan. Roast until apples and all vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Store toasted bread in large resealable plastic bags. Chill bacon-apple mixture uncovered until cool, then cover and keep chilled. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Combine toasted bread, 3/4 cup chicken broth, and bacon-apple mixture in very large bowl. Mix in 1 teaspoon coarse salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix in eggs, then 1/2 cup parsley. Add more chicken broth by 1/4 cupfuls if mixture is dry. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover dish with buttered foil; bake 35 minutes. Uncover; bake until top is browned, about 30 minutes longer. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.