Apple Cinnamon Stuffing Muffins | Lift And Separate

Welcome to the TLC Book Tours stop for the first novel by Marilyn Simon Rothstein, Lift And Separate! With a title like "Lift And Separate" and a cover filled with bras, you might guess that this book contains a bit of humor—you'd be correct! The story is actually a look into the life of 50-something Marcy Hammer, whose husband of 33 years seems to be going through a mid-life crisis, in the worst way possible.

Harvey Hammer is in the (family) business of bras, and can correctly guess any woman he meets bra size at a glance. As if that weren't uncomfortable enough, he cheats on his wife and mother of his three grown children with a fitting model.

Oyster Stuffing (or Dressing) | Burnt #FoodnFlix

This month we've got a hardcore foodie movie as our Food 'n Flix inspiration. Burnt is the story of chef Adam Jones, who we learn fell from his perch into a world of alcohol and drugs. As the movie begins, he is finishing his self-imposed penance of shucking 1 million oysters at a little New Orleans bar, hidden away from the world he was once a part of.

He makes his way to London, where most of his former colleagues from his Paris glory days are now working and living. He barges his way into being the chef at the restaurant in a hotel owned by former friend (who has always had a crush on him, which Adam totally exploits) Tony's father, which Tony is now managing. He rips Helene away from her sous chef position at a restaurant owned by a friend, by convincing him to fire her, so she'd basically have to work for him. He taunts his rival Reece, at his restaurant, just to let him know that even though he is majorly successful, he (Adam) is setting up shop in town.

Apple Bacon Stuffing

This past October, I once again had the chance to take part in a fun and informative blogger event hosted by Michigan Apples. This time we met in the fabulous Grand Rapids Downtown Market and cooked up an apple-lovers storm in one of their kitchens. I partnered up with the fabulous Lori of Foxes Love Lemons, and together we made a Michigan Apple and Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Pork Jowl Garnish and Cider-Glazed Chicken with an Apple Raisin Stuffing.

25 Stuffing and Dressing Recipes for your Thanksgiving Table

First there was turkey (okay, technically the pie was first)...then was gravy...what comes next on the Thanksgiving table? Stuffing of course! Or do you call it dressing? Again, if I'm being technical, stuffing is stuffed (duh) inside the bird and dressing is baked on the side. My personal preference is dressing because I like some crispy bits on the top and edges—but I still call it stuffing.

Growing up a carbaholic, I've always loved bread stuffing; all sorts of bread. Cornbread, sourdough, rye, croissants, cinnamon bread, or better yet, a combination. I don't mind having a wild rice or grain stuffing on the table...as long as there's still a bread stuffing next to it.

I hope you enjoy this selection of stuffing recipes and find some inspiration for your own Thanksgiving table this year!

Sausage and Apple Cornbread Stuffing (Gluten Free) by Snixy Kitchen

100% Whole Wheat Stuffing Muffins with Sausage and Parmesan from Kalyn's Kitchen
Bacon Cornbread Stuffing
Balsamic Chicken and Stuffing Muffins from Produce for Kids
Chanterelle Sage Sourdough Stuffing from Country Cleaver
Cornbread Sausage Stuffing from Ari's Menu

Turkey-Sage Cornbread Stuffing by An Edible Mosaic

Cornbread Stuffing with Sherried Mushroom Sauté from Cooking on the Weekends
Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Dressing from Gluten Free Yumms (pictured)
Cranberry Pecan Stuffing by Will Cook For Smiles
Dorothy's Southwest Stuffing from Shockingly Delicious
Easy Homemade Sausage Stuffing from Lemons for Lulu

Multi-Grain Bread, Pecan, and Dried Fruit Stuffins

Easy Italian Herb Stuffing from Will Cook For Smiles
Gluten Free Wild and Brown Rice Stuffing from The Lemon Bowl via HumanaVitality
Kale, Dried Porcini Mushroom and Pine Nut Stuffing from Cafe Johnsonia
Make Ahead Stuffing from Wine and Glue
Meatless Slow Cooker Stuffing from Rachel Cooks

Cranberry Pecan Quinoa Dressing by Gluten Free Yumms

Multi-Grain Bread, Pecan, and Dried Fruit Stuffins (pictured)
Mushroom and Kale Sausage Stuffing from Wine and Glue
Mushroom Challah Dressing from What Jew Wanna Eat via The Nosher
Pumpkin Cornbread Chicken Sausage Stuffing from Nutmeg Nanny
Rye, Bacon and Prune Stuffing from Crumb Blog via Tasty Turkey

Sourdough Kale Sausage Bacon Stuffing by Nutmeg Nanny

Sausage and Apple Cornbread Stuffing (GF) from Snixy Kitchen (pictured)
Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing from The Lean Green Bean
Slow Cooker Stuffing (or Dressing) from The Kitchen is My Playground
Sourdough Kale Sausage Bacon Stuffing from Nutmeg Nanny (pictured)
Turkey-Sage Cornbread Stuffing from An Edible Mosaic (pictured)

Check out my Pinterest boards for more Thanksgiving Food and Inspiration!


Uncooked Stuffing ready for oven photo via Shutterstock

Bacon Cornbread Stuffing

Over the past few years, I've tried quite a few different stuffing recipes.  Another thing about the past few years that I've noticed?  A lot of stuffing has gone uneaten.  By anyone other than me.   So, as much as I love trying out different flavor combos and add-ins, do you know what I love even more?  When every single person at the table gobbles (pun intended) up their helping of stuffing.  Maybe they even coo over it a little.  That is exactly what happened when this cornbread stuffing made its appearance on our Thanksgiving table this year.

I decided that instead of combing through my many years of magazine pages with frayed edges and recipes jotted down on notebook paper and bookmarks on my computer, I'd just ask for suggestions.  The number one request was for cornbread stuffing.  Without any "funny stuff" in it.  Or stuff that tastes weird.  I can do that.

I was torn between sausage and bacon, but in the end, bacon won.  Doesn't it always?  This is one that I'm guessing will be requested every year.  It's simple.  But the smoky, salty bacon...the sweet, caramelized onions...and the fresh green herbs accent the almost nutty flavor of the cornbread so perfectly that I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanksgiving Menu suggestions (add yours, too!)

It's closing in - just two weeks left until Thanksgiving!  It's that time of year when I bust out my extremely large box full of Thanksgiving magazine back issues, clipped recipes, and Thanksgiving books.  It's my favorite holiday.  And as much as I'd like to say that I have this years menu locked-in...I definitely do not.  I have a "rough" outline of what I want to make.  And then I see another recipe that I just have to try.  And the whole menu shifts.  But hey, I don't mind.  I've gathered up some tasty links that might go well on your Thanksgiving table this year.  Some are mine, others are not.  I only wish I had a monster-sized kitchen and a  dining room to go with it.

So, what's on your Thanksgiving menu this year?  What are some tried and true favorites from years past?  How about recipes that you totally want to try, but you're afraid that your family won't "accept" them on their table?  Please link up as many Thanksgiving or holiday table posts as you like or, if you don't have a blog or have not yet blogged them, leave them in the comments.  I can't wait to see what everybody is making this year!

Soups and Starters
Spicy Acorn Squash and Apple Soup
Pumpkin Soup w/ Buttered Chanterelles
Coconut Pumpkin Soup
Warm Honeyed Brie w/ Raspberries & Almonds
Puréed Celery Root Soup w/ Caramelized Apples


Turkey (and other "Mains")
Simple Roast Turkey
Mom's Roast Turkey
Slow-Roasted Herbed Turkey Breast
Deep-Fried Turkey
Orange Smoked Turkey
Sous Vide Turkey Leg


Gravy
Herbed Turkey Gravy
Turkey Gravy
Gluten-Free Gravy
Cream Gravy
Riesling Gravy
Citrus Gravy
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy


Stuffing and Dressing
Sweet Potato and Sausage Stuffing
Tamale Cornbread Dressing
Roasted Butternut, Sausage, and Fennel Stuffing
Sausage, Dried Cherry, and Pecan Stuffing
Multi-Grain Bread, Pecan, & Dried Fruit "Stuffins"


Potatoes
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Sage and Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
Twice-Baked Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes w/ Bacon & Cheddar
Creamy Cheesy Potatoes
Roasted Domino Potatoes
Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes


Sweet Potatoes
Smashed Sweet Potatoes & Butternut Squash w/ 5-Spice Marshmallows
Sweet Potato Salad w/ Cranberries & Chipotles
Twice Baked Bourbon Sweet Potato Skins w/ Pecan Streusel
Sweet Potato Gratin
Sweet Potato Casserole
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Chili-Glazed Sweet Potatoes


Cranberries (and other Fruit-based items)
Roasted Spiced Applesauce
Cranberry Salad
Cranberry Sauce w/ Ginger & Cloves
"My" Cranberry Sauce
Hot Pepper Cranberry Sauce/Relish/Jam
Slow Cooker Chunky Applesauce


Side Dishes
Butternut Squash baked w/ Bay Leaves, Butter, & Brown Sugar
Cheddar Chive Spoon Bread
Kale with Garlic and Cranberries
Roasted Sweet Potato & Wheat Berry Salad
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
Martha Stewart's Macaroni & Cheese
Maple and Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Stuffed Onions
Creamed Onions
Duck Fat Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Crispy Acorn Squash Rounds
Wild Rice w/ Mushrooms, Cranberries, & Walnut Oil
Raw Beets & Butternut Squash Slaw
Acorn Squash and Feta Casserole


Breads
Soft Pull-Apart Poppy Seed Rolls
Rustic Potato Loaves
Cranberry-Nut Rolls
Buttery Garlic Crescents
Cranberry-Goat Cheese Honey Cornbread
Brötchen
Pull-Apart Squash Rolls
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Rolls
Brioche Rolls


Desserts
Applesauce Spice Cake w/ Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Pie w/ Sesame Snaps
Pear and Cranberry Crumble
Pay de Nuez (Pecan Pie)
Spiced Maple Pecan Pie w/ Star Anise
Chocolate Caramel Tarts
Cranberry Buckle
Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars
Apple, Ginger and Treacle Tart
Spiced Fresh Pumpkin Pie
Apple, Maple, and Walnut Pie
C4 Tart

Drinks
Cranberry Vanilla Gin Cocktail
Cranberry Liqueur
Spiced Daiquiri
Pumpkin Margarita


And since I know this list is only a start, please feel free to link up any recipes that you may have on your blog in the linky tool below.  Although I like to plan ahead, my menu never seems to be complete until the day of.  Meaning?  I'm ALWAYS looking for more Thanksgiving recipe suggestions.

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1. Poached Quince to Top Vanilla Cremeux	2. Cranberry-Quince Sauce	3. Rhubarb Liqueur	4. Thanksgiving dinner for two	5. Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
6. Braeburn Apple and Almond Tart	7. Apple Cider Pie	8. Crockpot Turkey Breast	9. Deep Fried Turkey	10. Individual Pumpkin Cheesecakes
11. Fall Sweet Potato Toss	12. Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Onions with Rosemary and Parmesan	13. Praline Yams	14. Sweet Potato Crunch	15. Slow Cooker Cornbread Dressing
16. Easy Cornbread Stuffing	17. Roasted Acorn Squash w/ Parmesan, Garlic & Thyme	18. Date Crumb Pie	19. Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing	20. Apple Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing
21. Quick Corn Saute	22. Fruit n Whiskey Cranberry Relish	23. Pear & Almond Tart - Karens Kitchen Stories	24. Pull-apart Buttery Dinner Rolls	25. Spiced Maple Pecan Pie w/ Star Anise
26. Butternut, Yellow Raisin, Pinenut, Pomegranate Salad	27. Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes	28. Baked Brie w/ Pistachios & Dried Fruit

Multi-Grain Bread, Pecan, & Dried Fruit "Stuffins"

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nature's Pride Bread. All opinions are 100% mine.

Stuffins (plural noun) \stu-fins\ : Multiple servings of stuffing that have been baked in muffin tins.

Yes.  I just added a word to the dictionary.  I know, that's a little bit Rachael Ray of me, isn't it?  Oh, and also?  I just used Rachael Ray as a verb.  That's just the way I roll.  But it's also beside the point.

What I really wanted to talk about today is planning.  Holiday planning.  In truth, although deep down I know they're coming, the holidays usually sneak up on me.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and though I usually spend at least three weeks planning for it, it's never enough.  Never enough in that I rarely get around to actually testing out any new recipes before using them.  Yes, I'm the kind of girl who makes recipes for the very first time on the holiday.  The day before or the day of the big dinner.  Because, while I've always spent enough time pouring over glossy new magazines as well as trusty worn cookbooks and yellowed clippings looking for new twists on old favorites, I've never actually had the time to try a few of them out to see if we will actually enjoy them.

I mean, nobody's ever complained (out loud), but I've seen a few things go basically untouched over the years.  Sure, my most adventurous eaters will try new dishes, but I also have my fair share of friends and family who don't want "strange" new dishes encroaching on their tried-and-true's.  So this year I've decided to start just a few weeks earlier with my planning.  Get a jump on things, if you will.  I am actually going to be testing out some recipes in advance.  Recipes that just  may make it to the Thanksgiving table.  And since the family will be my "subjects", they won't be surprised if they show up as part of my final menu.

I started with an easy one.  Something that everybody loves.  Stuffing.  Although technically, I suppose I should call it dressing since it is not actually stuffed inside of anything.  But I grew up calling it stuffing.  I think the only person I ever hear call it dressing is my grandma.  The thing is, I like my stuffing with crispy bits.  Wet, mushy bread is just not my thing.  And I figured that portioning the stuffing up into individual servings and baking them in muffin tins would give me plenty of crispy bits.  And I was not wrong.  Every person is guaranteed a little crispy-domed portion that is moist and flavorful on the inside.

I also wanted to experiment with using a good hearty whole-grain bread.  I thought, not only would it hold up well, it would be healthy.  And any chance to slip healthy and delicious into the same sentence is a chance I'm taking.  I used Nature's Pride Healthy Multi-Grain bread, which like all of Nature's Pride breads, is 100% natural.  It doesn't contain any high fructose corn syrup, no trans-fats or artificial colors or preservatives.  Plus, it's delicious.  As in, Nature's Pride bread is both healthy and delicious.  See that?  Same.  Sentence.

Multi-Grain Bread, Pecan, & Dried Fruit "Stuffins"

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Keywords: bake side bread apricots cranberries nuts Christmas Thanksgiving American fall winter

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 5 slices Nature's Pride Multi-Grain Bread
• ¼ c. brandy
• ¼ c. dried cranberries
• 3 Tbs. butter or olive oil
• 1 small onion, small dice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large rib celery, small dice
• ⅓ c. pecans, toasted & chopped
• ¼ c. dried apricots, small dice
• handful flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 Tbs. fresh sage, julienned (or 1 tsp. brushed sage)
• few sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped (or ½ tsp. dried thyme)
• ½ tsp. whole fennel seeds
• ~1 c. chicken stock or broth
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• softened butter, for muffin tins

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 275°F.

Lay bread slices on top of one another, lining them up. Use a bread knife to cut them into ½-inch cubes. You should have ~4 cups of bread cubes.

Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Slide tray into oven and bake for ~ 25 minutes or so, until bread is dry (not toasted). Shake and stir the bread cubes around a few times during cooking.

Place cranberries and brandy in a small pot and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit while you get everything else ready.

In the meantime, heat the butter or oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery; saute until translucent and just tender, ~5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.

Increase oven to 325° F.

Combine bread cubes, apricots, veggie/brandy mixture, pecans, parsley, sage, thyme, and fennel in a large bowl. Gently toss with the broth and the egg. Season with salt and pepper.

Slather 8 compartments of a muffin tin with some softened butter and divide stuffing mixture evenly among them. Slide into oven and bake until deeply golden and crusty, ~30-35 minutes.

As soon as the Stuffins come out of the oven, run a thin-bladed knife around the edges.  Use a large spoon to help you pull the Stuffins out in one piece.

notes:

This does not have to be baked into "stuffins". You can just as easily pile it into a well-buttered baking dish and pile it in. Increase cooking time to ~45 minutes. You can also use this as dressing and stuff it inside a bird or pork chops and cook through.

For a change, substitute different types of dried fruits, nuts, or herbs. You can also use different types of Nature's Pride "hearty" breads like 100% Whole Wheat, 12-Grain, Nutty Oat, Hearty Wheat with Flax, or Country Buttermilk to suit your tastes.

Spicy Chicken Strips, Fried Pickles, and Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing inspired by The Sookie Stackhouse Series

Anticipation.  One of the main components in loving a particular series of books.  Anticipating what will happen in the world of the characters whose world you invest yourself in.  But also the anticipation of the next book.  It always seems to take so long until the next one is released.    And the thing is, I WISH that I could savor it once it actually hits shelves.  But no.  In typical me-fashion, my fingers are eagerly fumbling with the pages before I can even make my way out of the library doors.  Or the bookstore.  Or wrestle the book from its mailing vessel.

And as badly as I want it to last, I'm equally fervent in devouring every last word.  And for one...two if I'm lucky...brief days, I visit the world I've been missing.  Before I start fantasizing about what's to come next time.  And plead with the "author gods" to make insert name here write faster!

Thanksgiving 2011 recap

I'm just back-dating and sliding this post in.  It's now December and far too late (it feels) to post it, but I want to remember! ☺

Thanksgiving Menu '11

Simple Roast Turkey

Herbed Turkey Gravy 

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Smoked Oyster & Bacon Stuffing/Dressing  no recipe

Creamy Green Beans w/ Crispy Onions  no recipe

Cranberry Sauce w/ Ginger & Cloves

Roasted Spiced Applesauce

Roasted Sweet Potatoes no recipe

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Rolls

Parker House Rolls  no recipe

Pumpkin Pie w/ Sesame Snaps

Apple Cider Pie

Okay.  Anybody else planning next year's menu yet or is just me?  Sssshhhhh....

Smoked Oyster & Bacon Stuffing/Dressing (Everyday Food issue 87)

Creamy Green Beans w/ Crispy Onions