Stuffed Stuffing Options!

The discussion of Turkey Stuffing can get as heated as any political debate.  Stuffing vs Dressing.  Stuffing or NOT Stuffing.  Cranberries In vs Cranberries on the side.  Nuts vs No Nuts.   Really the WHOLE THING can get nuts!

I have become a dressing person but perhaps that isn’t the right term.  Stuffing Snob!  If I am going to eat it, it must be GOOD.  If not, the place on my plate could be put to much better use!   So how do I do it Gluten Free?   We have come up with Three ‘recipes’:

1)  St-UDI-ing

Breads have come a long way over the past 10 years and, if you are just getting started as Gluten Free, you have hit a perfect time to do so!  No more are the only options for breads those dried out, crumbly, cardboard tasting squares of tasteless white slices found in the freezer section.  ( Or worse!  NOT in the freezer but packed with little silicon packets! O.O)

UDI bread to the rescue!   This bread is well worth the $5 – $7 a loaf!  Is fantastic toasted AND NOT TOASTED!  Even holds up to, yes, STUFFING!  Replacing your old Wonder bread with a loaf or two of Udi’s whole grain bread makes for an easy recipe conversion at the time of a hectic household meal.

2) Wildly Rice

Go a little on the wild side with a mixture of white & wild rice, apple juice, seasonings.  Let the rice soak for a bit to soak up some of the apple juice, and then stuffed it in the turkey with lots of room for expansion. The turkey cooked the rice then. Makes for a great alternative.

3) Quinoa Walnut

My personal favorite, thus far, though is our Quinoa stuffing.  This went over with not only the GF folk but even non-stuffing fans!  Cooked quinoa, dried cranberries, walnuts, dried cherries, diced onions, diced apples and LOTS of sage, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.  Keep in mind that quinoa absorbs flavor so be VERY generous with the seasonings!

Breaking away from the grey mound of soggy bread in a bowl can be a challenge or an adventure!  Putting a spin on it doesn’t need to be difficult or off putting to non-gfers.  Just remember… the CRITICAL ingredient in any meal is laughter!  Spread it liberally throughout your weekend and enjoy Getting Stuffed!