Apple Walnut Stuffing

• 1/2 cup butter, divided
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 3 cups peeled and chopped apples
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 T. poultry seasoning - such as Bell's® Seasoning
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 pound dry bread cubes
• 3/4 to 1 cup turkey or chicken broth

Preparation -
Melt the butter in a skillet. Saute the onions and celery until barely tender. Place mixture in large bowl. Mix in the apples, walnuts, raisins, and seasonings. Stir in the bread cubes. Add enough broth for the desired moistness.

To bake the stuffing in the turkey -
Spoon the mixture loosely into the turkey cavities. Bake at 325º, using the turkey roasting timetable as a guideline, then use an accurate instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature of the inner thigh. It should be 180º. Next, insert the thermometer into the center of the stuffing. The temperature should be 165º.

To bake the stuffing separately-
Place the stuffing mixture in a buttered casserole dish. Cover and bake at 325º for about about 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes more.