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1
Slice bread into 1 1/2-in.-thick slices and tear into irregular 1- to 2-in. pieces. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and leave to dry at room temperature until needed (up to 2 days). For the best stuffing, the bread should be very dry.
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2
Preheat oven to 350u00b0. Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Pour out 2 tbsp. butter and set aside.
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3
Add onion, celery, herbs, and 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper to hot pan. Cook until onions are translucent and celery is tender-crisp, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
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4
Add torn bread and broth to vegetables and mix in until bread is soaked. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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5
Generously coat a 9- by 13-in. glass baking pan with 1 tsp. reserved melted butter. Pour stuffing into pan and drizzle with remaining melted butter.
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6
Cover with foil; bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until starting to brown on top, about 30 minutes more.
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7
Make ahead: Up to 2 days, chilled. Reheat at 350u00b0, covered, until hot (about 30 minutes). Remove foil and cook 10 more minutes for a crunchy top layer.
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8
VARIATIONS
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9
Crisp-Top Sourdough Stuffing with Sausage and Greens: Add 8 oz. sauteed crumbled Italian -sausage and 1 lb. briefly sauteed fresh spinach leaves to stuffing before baking.
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10
Scandinavian Stuffing: Replace sourdough with a 1-lb. loaf of crusty rye bread, then add 1 cup chopped fresh dill and 8 oz. diced smoked pork chops to stuffing before baking. Top with 2 tbsp. fresh dill sprigs before serving.
