Savory Stuffing (gluten-free and vegetarian)

This stuffing recipe is a combination of a few different recipes I've tried.  The most important element of this stuffing is using a tasty gluten-free bread.  If you have not yet found a tasty gluten-free bread, you can make your own with this 5-star rated recipe for Gluten-Free Walnut Rosemary Bread.  I'm not a big baker, so I have not yet tried making the bread.  We buy bread from Papa's Cookies, a local baker who sells gluten-free bread for $4.25/loaf.  But someday I'll try to bake my own.  If you use the recipe for the walnut rosemary bread, let me know how it turns out!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 large yellow onions or 3 medium onions (diced)
• 1 stick butter (or the equivalent amount of butter substitute for dairy free
• 4-6 peeled and diced carrots (approx 4 C diced small)
• 4-6 stalks of celery, diced (approx 3 C diced small)
• 2 t garlic powder
• 1 t onion powder
• 1 T thyme (dried)
• 2 T sage (dried)
• 1/2 t pepper
• 12-16 slices (about 10 C) of your favorite gluten-free bread (cubed and dried out-see directions below)
• 1 1/2 C golden raisins*
• 1 1/2 C craisins*
• 2 C vegetable broth OR water

*You may want to soak the raisins and craisins in water to soften before adding to stuffing.  Be sure to drain them before adding them if you choose to soak them.

To Dry Out Bread:

Pre-heat oven to 350º

Tear bread into small cubes

Bake for about 12 min, until cubes are dry, but NOT brown.  Let cool.

Directions:

In large pot, melt butter on medium low heat.  Sweat onions  until translucent but not brown.

Take T of thyme and rub in hands over pot until flavor is released.

Add diced carrots and diced celery.  Add garlic, onion, sage, and pepper or season veggies to taste. Cook until your desired state of tenderness.

When veggies are almost done, add 2 C broth OR 2 C water.  Add stuffing and/or bread cubes and stir constantly.  Add oil.  Keep stirring.  If stuffing looks dry, add broth (or water) slowly, up to about 1/2 C more.  Too much liquid will make it too soggy.  Add raisins and craisins, and keep stirring.  Put lid on pot and remove from heat for 5-10 min.  Serve and enjoy!