This is one of my favorite holiday dishes because it has all the flavor of a Pan de Jamón in a stuffing. You heard me. A stuffing. You’re welcome.
This stuffing came to me in a dream… just kidding. What happened is that I became vegetarian. Unfortunately, ham is not one of my loves which means that Pan de Jamón is something I continue to make for the holidays but have stopped partaking in. I missing all the flavor, and realized that I could have it all without the meat. (Although, you could crisp up some bacon and fold it in for a meat lovers paradise).
This stuffing is 100% delicious. The golden raisins and pimento olives are straight from the Pan de Jamón. For extra flavor, I added fresh parsley, vegetable broth, onion and black pepper. When all is said and done, and you have it all on a serving platter, drizzle it with agave for a sweet kick. Of course I feel like I should add that this stuffing would be great for actually stuffing a turkey, but for vegetarians sake, make it on the side for all to enjoy. Don’t forget bacon crumbles if you wanna add another layer of sweet and spice deliciousness! 
Sweet and Spicy Stuffing with Golden Raisins
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian, Omnivore
Description
A Thanksgiving twist on classic stuffing! Sweet raisins and olives meet savory herbs and a touch of spice.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) parsley
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 3/4 cups (178 ml) raisins
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) olives, diced
- 1 loaf day old bread, 1/2 - 1 inch dice
- 2 cups (473 ml) vegetable broth
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) onion, diced
- 2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- salt
- agave
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- In a large sauté pan, melt butter and add garlic and onions. Cook until onions are translucent and garlic is crisp on the edges.
- Add raisins, olives, ½ of the bread, and 1 cup vegetable broth. Stir and toss until bread softens. Add remaining bread and remaining broth. Stir until all ingredients are fully dispersed and bread has soaked all broth. Fold in parsley.
- Transfer to an oven-safe dish and bake for 20 minutes, or until the top of the bread has browned and is crisp on the edges.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, toast the bread cubes lightly before adding them to the pan.
- If you don’t have agave, you can substitute with maple syrup or honey.
- Leftover stuffing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven-Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 15
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the golden raisins affect the flavor of this stuffing?
Golden raisins add pockets of sweetness that contrast with any savory or spicy elements in the stuffing. They also absorb stock as the stuffing bakes, which keeps them plump and prevents them from becoming too chewy.
What gives this stuffing its spicy element?
The heat typically comes from ingredients like cayenne, red pepper flakes, or a spiced sausage mixed into the stuffing. The level of heat is balanced by the sweetness of the golden raisins and any sweet spices like cinnamon or allspice.
Can I make this stuffing a day ahead?
Yes, you can assemble the stuffing the day before and refrigerate it unbaked. Add a bit of extra stock before baking since the bread will continue to absorb liquid overnight and the stuffing may be drier than when freshly mixed.
