Oyster Stuffing with Chestnuts and Chinese Sausage
Thomas J. Story
Chef Mona Johnson, of Portland's Tournant catering, had this stuffing every Thanksgiving, cooked by her Cantonese grandparents. Brimming with oysters, bacon, leeks, chestnuts, shiitakes, and sweet nuggets of Chinese sausage, it packs a umami punch. If you're not a fan of oysters, leave them out and double the mushrooms. And if you can't find the Chinese sausage, leave it out and double the bacon.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 300°. Divide bread cubes between 2 baking sheets and toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until dry and crisp, about 30 minutes. Let cool on sheets, then pour into a large bowl. Increase oven temperature to 350°.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, cook Chinese sausage in a large heavy frying pan over medium heat until edges begin to curl and fat renders, about 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to bowl of bread cubes, leaving fat behind (if there isn't any fat, add 2 tbsp. oil). Increase heat to medium-high, add shiitakes, and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then scoop into bowl of sausage and bread cubes.
Step 3
3
Wipe out pan. Add bacon and cook over medium heat until browned and fat has rendered, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to bread cube mixture, leaving fat in the pan. Discard all but 2 tbsp. fat.
Step 4
4
Add leeks, celery, and carrots to pan and cook over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add chestnuts and chopped herbs, then season with salt and pepper. Add butter to pan and allow to melt completely.
Step 5
5
Stir vegetable mixture into bread cube mixture. With kitchen scissors, snip oysters into 1/2-in. to 1-in. pieces and add to bowl. Add stock, season with salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly.
Step 6
6
Butter a 3 1/2- to 4-qt. baking dish. Transfer stuffing to dish and cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake until golden and crispy on top, 30 to 40 minutes more.
Ingredients
1 (1-lb.) loaf country-style white bread, bottom crust removed, cut into 3/4-in. cubes (12 cups)
11 ounces Chinese sausage (lap cheong)* such as Kam Yen Jan brand, sliced 1/4 in. thick on the diagonal
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, if needed
3 cups thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps (from 9 to 10 large shiitakes)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
5 slices thinly cut bacon, chopped crosswise into 1/2-in. pieces
3 cups rinsed chopped leeks
2 cups finely chopped celery
2 cups finely chopped carrots
2 cups chopped roasted peeled chestnuts (about 12 oz.)*
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 cups drained shucked oysters
2 cups turkey or chicken stock
Directions
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 300°. Divide bread cubes between 2 baking sheets and toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until dry and crisp, about 30 minutes. Let cool on sheets, then pour into a large bowl. Increase oven temperature to 350°.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, cook Chinese sausage in a large heavy frying pan over medium heat until edges begin to curl and fat renders, about 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to bowl of bread cubes, leaving fat behind (if there isn't any fat, add 2 tbsp. oil). Increase heat to medium-high, add shiitakes, and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then scoop into bowl of sausage and bread cubes.
Step 3
3
Wipe out pan. Add bacon and cook over medium heat until browned and fat has rendered, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to bread cube mixture, leaving fat in the pan. Discard all but 2 tbsp. fat.
Step 4
4
Add leeks, celery, and carrots to pan and cook over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add chestnuts and chopped herbs, then season with salt and pepper. Add butter to pan and allow to melt completely.
Step 5
5
Stir vegetable mixture into bread cube mixture. With kitchen scissors, snip oysters into 1/2-in. to 1-in. pieces and add to bowl. Add stock, season with salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly.
Step 6
6
Butter a 3 1/2- to 4-qt. baking dish. Transfer stuffing to dish and cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake until golden and crispy on top, 30 to 40 minutes more.
