Author: Mike Cox

Thanksgiving is all about timeless flavors, and few dishes capture the essence of the holiday quite like a warm, herb-infused stuffing. Here at Dusky Goose Winery, we’re thrilled to share our go-to recipe for a homemade stuffing that brings together fresh herbs, tender French bread, and a touch of richness from Vidalia onions and butter. This savory dish is a perfect match for our 2021 Dusky Goose Chardonnay, which complements the herbs and butteriness of the stuffing with its crisp acidity and subtle oak notes.

 

If you’re looking for a side that’s classic yet memorable, this homemade stuffing is sure to become a family favorite, and with our Chardonnay in hand, every bite will feel like a celebration of Oregon’s finest.

 

Homemade Stuffing Recipe

 

Ingredients

– 1 lb. French bread, cut into ½” cubes and dried

– ½ lb. unsalted butter, divided (6 oz in pats + 2 oz in small cubes)

– 2½ cups unsalted chicken stock

– 2½ cups Vidalia onion, diced

– 1¼ cups celery, diced

– 2 large eggs

– 1 cup parsley, minced

– ¼ cup sage, minced

– 3 Tbsp rosemary, minced

– 2 Tbsp thyme, minced

– 1¼ tsp salt

– 1 tsp black pepper

 

Instructions

1. **Prepare the Bread**

The day before baking, cube the French bread and dry it in the oven for 45 minutes at 250°F. Allow it to cool and store at room temperature, covered.

2. **Preheat the Oven**

On the day of baking, preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13″ baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

3. **Sauté the Vegetables**

Melt 6 oz of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, sautéing for about 10 minutes until they’re lightly browned and aromatic.

4. **Combine Ingredients**

In a large bowl, combine the sautéed onion and celery with the dried bread cubes. Add the minced parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and black pepper, mixing well.

5. **Moisten the Mixture**

Add 1¼ cups of chicken stock to the bread mixture, stirring to coat evenly.

6. **Add Eggs**

In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining 1¼ cups of chicken stock with the eggs. Pour this over the bread mixture, stirring to combine well.

7. **Bake the Stuffing**

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, pressing gently to flatten the top. Distribute the 2 oz butter cubes evenly over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.

8. **Finish Baking**

Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 45 minutes until the top is golden and crisp. Serve hot with a glass of Dusky Goose’s 2021 Chardonnay.

 

Why We Love This Recipe

 

This stuffing is a savory blend of rich herbs, buttery bread, and fragrant onions that pairs perfectly with our 2021 Dusky Goose Chardonnay. The Chardonnay’s balanced acidity and hint of oak beautifully elevate the earthy notes of sage, rosemary, and thyme while enhancing the buttery richness of the stuffing.

 

As you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, we hope this recipe brings a touch of warmth to your table. Pairing it with our Chardonnay turns each bite into a celebration, making this homemade stuffing more than just a side—it’s a cherished part of the holiday meal.

 

Here’s to savoring all the flavors of the season. Cheers from Dusky Goose, and a very happy Thanksgiving to you!

 

 

As autumn sweeps through the Dundee Hills, here at Dusky Goose Winery, we’re reminded of why this season feels so comforting, especially in the kitchen. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate not just the flavors of the season but also the connections we share around the table. That’s why we’re excited to share this delectable appetizer recipe, perfect for hosting or simply adding a dash of elegance to your holiday spread. These Cranberry Chèvre Canapés bring together the tartness of cranberries, creamy chèvre, and buttery phyllo with a hint of hazelnut—each bite capturing the flavors of Oregon’s fall harvest.

 

With the richness and layers of flavor in these canapés, we recommend pairing them with our 2021 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. This wine’s bright acidity and ripe berry notes balance beautifully with the cranberry and orange zest, enhancing the tangy-sweet complexity of the dish. A few sips of this Pinot Noir alongside a bite of these canapés and you’ll experience the harmony of our local bounty, right in your glass and on your plate.

 

Cranberry Chèvre Canapés Recipe

 

Ingredients

– 7 oz cranberries (fresh or frozen)

– ¼ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice

– 2 Tbsp water

– 2 tsp orange zest

– 1 tsp brown sugar

– ½ tsp vanilla extract

– ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

– Pinch of salt

– ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts

– 4 oz chèvre (goat cheese)

– 30 phyllo cups

 

Instructions

1. **Prepare the Cranberry Sauce**

In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, water, orange zest, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil.

2. **Simmer**

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to break apart the cranberries.

3. **Season the Sauce**

Remove the pan from heat and add vanilla extract, nutmeg, hazelnuts, and salt. Stir well to combine, then allow the sauce to cool completely. (Pro tip: The cranberry sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.)

4. **Prepare the Phyllo Cups**

Toast phyllo cups according to the package instructions, until they’re crisp and golden.

5. **Assemble**

Fill each toasted phyllo cup with chèvre. Top with a generous spoonful of cranberry sauce, using a 1:1 ratio of chèvre to cranberry sauce.

6. **Finish and Serve**

Sprinkle with fresh orange zest for garnish and serve with a glass of Dusky Goose’s 2021 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.

 

Why We Love This Recipe

 

The combination of creamy, tangy chèvre and the sweet-tart cranberry compote in these canapés captures the spirit of Thanksgiving—warm, inviting, and full of seasonal flavor. The pop of orange zest and toasted hazelnuts add that extra bit of holiday warmth, making these bites memorable from the first taste to the last. Plus, the 2021 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir highlights every bright, layered flavor, making it the ideal pairing for this festive starter.

 

Whether you’re hosting family, sharing a Friendsgiving, or enjoying a quiet moment on your own, we hope this recipe, paired with our Pinot Noir, brings a little Dusky Goose magic to your holiday season. Cheers to a delicious, memorable Thanksgiving from all of us at Dusky Goose!