Imagine a holiday side dish that transports your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched islands of Greece, with a magical blend of crispy bread, toasted walnuts, and sweet cranberries that will make your guests swoon! This Greek-style stuffing is not just another boring side dish - it's a culinary adventure that combines traditional flavors with a modern twist that will elevate your holiday meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Get ready to transform your holiday table with a stuffing so delicious, it might just become the star of the feast!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of stale bread, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Cut the stale bread into small, uniform cubes, approximately 1-inch in size. If the bread is not already stale, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes to dry them out.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and celery, sautéing until they become soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add chopped walnuts to the skillet and toast them lightly for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions and celery, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries.
- Sprinkle dried oregano over the mixture, then season with salt and pepper. Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even distribution of herbs and seasoning.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. If the mixture seems dry, you can drizzle a little additional olive oil or chicken broth to moisten.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to allow the top to become golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and settle.
- Serve warm as a side dish, garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or additional chopped walnuts if desired.
Tips
- Use stale bread for the best texture - it absorbs flavors better and creates a more authentic stuffing consistency.
- Toast your walnuts carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning them.
- Don't skip the olive oil - it's key to bringing the Mediterranean flavors to life.
- For extra moisture, have some chicken broth on hand in case the stuffing seems too dry.
- Let the stuffing rest after baking to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- For a vegetarian version, you can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Experiment with fresh herbs like fresh oregano or thyme for an even more vibrant flavor profile.
- If you want a crispier top, broil the stuffing for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking (watch carefully to prevent burning).
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
