Here's a wonderful, savory stuffing recipe from our friend Nava Atlas, author of a zillion different vegetarian cookbooks (check out her website, which is bursting with ideas and energy).

Walnut-Apple Stuffing

Serves: 8 or more

Ingredients

6 cups firmly packed diced whole grain bread
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
1 1/2 cups peeled, diced tart apple (like a Granny Smith or maybe a Cortland)
3 bunches scallions, minced
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. each: dried thyme, savory
3/4 tsp. seasoned salt, more or less to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups apple juice

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Place the diced bread on a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until dry and lightly browned.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the red onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the apple and sauté for another 5 minutes.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes with the onion and apple mixture. Add all the remaining ingredients except the apple juice and toss together. Sprinkle in the apple juice slowly, stirring at the same time to moisten the ingredients evenly.
  • Transfer the mixture to an oiled shallow 1 1/2-quart baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until browned and still slightly moist. Stir once during the baking time. Transfer to a covered serving container.

Apple Date Bars

This recipe is from the current edition of Sprouts Magazine.

Ingredients

1 large sweet red apple (like a Fuji or an Empire)
5-7 Medjool dates
5 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
3 Tbsp. 1% milk
1 1/3 cup flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 cup walnut pieces

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel and chop apple and dates (keep separate).
  • In a large bowl combine the butter and brown sugar. Mix in the egg and milk. Stir in the apples. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and mix together thoroughly. Add in the dates and walnut pieces, fold together.
  • Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • Allow to cool, then cut into bars. Makes 24 servings.