Ingredients

  • 5 cups 1/2-inch cubes crustless firm white bread (about 7 ounces)
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cups chopped onions
  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 4 cups small cubes peeled Granny Smith apples
  • 2 1/3 cups small cubes Black Forest ham
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 cups low-salt chicken broth
  • 2 large eggs

Method

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Bake bread cubes on large rimmed baking sheet until dry and beginning to brown, about 12 minutes.
  • Place bread in large bowl and cool.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over high heat.
  • Add onions and celery; saute until tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Add apples; saute until tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Add mixture to bread.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet.
  • Add ham; saute 5 minutes.
  • Add ham to bread; mix in herbs and nutmeg.
  • Add broth to same skillet and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits.
  • Pour broth into small bowl; cool.
  • (Stuffing and broth can be prepared 1 day ahead.
  • Cover separately; chill.)
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
  • Beat eggs into broth; mix into stuffing.
  • Transfer stuffing to prepared dish.
  • Bake uncovered until cooked through and browned on top, about 35 minutes.