Bourbon Bacon Dressing

Yup you read that right, booze and bacon in dressing (Stuffing). I made this lovely product for our company Thanksgiving potluck and literally had a spoonful left. I took the base recipe from A Beautiful Mess and tweaked it to my own likings. 

It is supposed to serve 8-11, but it seems like much more than that. 

2 loaves of french bread, around 10-11 heaping cups
12 ounces cooked bacon (reserve the cooking fat)
2 apples (granny smith preferred)
1 onion
4-5 celery stocks
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon chopped sage
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
4 tablespoons bourbon
salt + pepper
2 cups vegetable (or chicken) broth
4 eggs 

Cut up the loaves into small cubes and lay out on a large baking sheet for at least 3 hours (or overnight) so the bread can dry out. If you are a procrastinator like I am then spread the bread onto the baking sheet and place it in the oven while it is preheating. Make sure to keep an eye on it so that it does not toast completely. 

**I would also cook the Bacon in advance. This was the longest part of preparation. 

(Don't you wish the screen was scratch and sniff????) 

Cook the bacon and cut into small bite size pieces. Cut the apples, onion, and celery into small bite size pieces (everything is bite size!). Mince the garlic. Cook all of that in the bacon fat and bourbon until it just begins to soften. Sprinkle on a little salt + pepper. In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked veggies, bacon and bread cubes. 

(veggies before cooking... and the secret ingredient) 

Stir in the stock and eggs. Stir in the chopped herbs. 

(for this part, I combined the eggs, broth, and herbs in one bowl prior to combining with the veggies. Because I like to complicate things a little.) 

Dump everything into a buttered baking dish. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. 

And then BAM! You get an amazing dish that everyone will rave about. If the bourbon is too strong for you just reduce it by 2 tablespoons. I really wanted the flavor to come through. If you would rather forgo the alcohol all together, you're nuts. 

Serve Up and Enjoy!