• Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetiser
    • Breads and Pastry
      • Muffins
      • Scones
      • Tarts/Pies
      • Yeast Goods
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes and Cookies
    • Curries
    • Cuisine
      • American
      • Asian
      • Brazilian
      • British
      • French
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Middle Eastern
      • Moroccan
      • Spain
      • Tex-Mex
    • Dessert
      • Chocolate
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Puddings/Dessert
      • Ice Cream
    • Gluten Free
    • Holiday Dishes
      • Christmas
      • Eid ul Adha
      • Ramadan
      • Thanksgiving
    • Legumes/Lentils
    • Meat/Poultry
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Lamb
      • Kebab
    • Pasta, Rice and Grains
    • Sandwiches and Snacks
    • Sauces and Condiments
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups and Salads
    • Vegetarian
    • Other
      • Cheese
      • Coffee
      • Family and Musings
      • Guest Post
      • Product Review
  • About
  • The Rocky Mountains
    • Life in the Tundra
  • Contact Me
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

Coffee and Crumpets

Real Food with Altitude

American Breads and Pastry Recipe Index Side Dishes Thanksgiving

Pear Stuffing and a Giveaway!

Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing-5

The holiday season officially starts next week with Thanksgiving kicking it off here in the US. Thanksgiving also happens to be, I think, the most anticipated and biggest holiday for food inspiration, new and traditional cooking and baking, and of course, let’s not forget the eating.

I did not grow up celebrating Thanksgiving, obviously, because England doesn’t have that holiday. However, I believe that Thanksgiving is truly a foodie holiday. The whole day is centred around food, family and football, with a bit of thankfulness thrown in.

I really took to Thanksgiving! Now, sometimes when I feel like holding back a bit, I can’t. My children and my husband, are crazy about the food. It’s the one holiday they really look forward to for the particular food that’s served.

Last year we did a potluck with our friends and a 40 pound turkey, 30 side dishes and 12 desserts. We were very thankful and incredibly full. This year it’s the same group but I hope the turkey is smaller!

Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing-3

So, onto this recipe. As you know, I rarely do any kind of sponsored posts on my blogs. It’s not that I’m not open to them, it’s just that I’m very particular about product I endorse. It has to be all natural, preferably organic and even better if it’s Colorado local. I’m a big supporter of small farms and local businesses.

So imagine my excitement when I received an email from MM Local, a Colorado based, organic company that specialises in preserved and pickled fruits and vegetables, and fermented sauces and pickles. I knew about them from the farmers markets and had tried their jarred fruit.

What I love about MM Local, besides the fact that they are from Colorado and use organic ingredients, is that they source their produce and ingredients from local Colorado farms. These are farms whose stands I visit in farmers markets and whose produce I buy.

Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing-2

They were kind enough to provide me with a few jars of my choice of fruit or vegetables. Since Thanksgiving is next week, they were interested in the stuffing/dressing recipe I mentioned. I asked for some of their delicious jarred Paonia pears with rosemary for the recipe. The rosemary and pear combination is fantastic.

I used a hearty, peasant bread from Whole Foods, leeks for a mild onion flavour and some beautiful, crimson pomegranate arils for that burst of sweet tart flavour. Of course, you can use whatever bread you’d like including a good quality dried bread stuffing cubes. If MM Local pears are available in your area, please seek them out and use them! They are of excellent quality and so much better than any tinned pear.

I made the dressing in a pan and this quantity will make enough for a 9 x13 pan. I made a bit extra to stuff some under a chicken I was roasting for dinner so I could taste them both ways.

Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing-6

They are both excellent. Of course, the stuffing had all the chicken drippings so it did have extra flavour from the chicken fat and spices. The dressing in a pan can be drizzled with the turkey juices and some turkey fat to get the same flavour. The dressing by itself has a lot of flavour as well, the sweetness of the pears, the saltiness of the bread, the crunch of the toasted pecans and the tartness from the pomegranate all add great layers of flavour and texture.

If you’re looking for a new stuffing/dressing recipe, I hope you’ll give this one a try. If there is one new recipe I try every year, it’s the stuffing recipe. A new one every Thanksgiving 🙂

Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing-1

To make your holidays sweeter or more savoury, MM Local is giving away a sample (it’ll probably be a MM Local gift card or promo code) of their delicious jarred fruit or vegetables to two lucky people (US only at the moment) All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me your favourite Thanksgiving dish. Is it the stuffing? The sweet potato casserole smothered in marshmallows or the green bean casserole? I want to know (really, I just want ideas for new side dishes) I’ll pick a winner by Thanksgiving and announce by the end of the month. 

So, onto this Pear Stuffing recipe, hope you get a chance to try it.

Save Print
Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing and a Giveaway!

Rating  4.9 from 8 reviews

Prep time:  30 mins

Cook time:  90 mins

Total time:  2 hours

Serves: 12 servings

Ingredients
  • 2 jars MM Local Pears with Rosemary
  • 2 cups sliced leeks, about 3 medium, white and light green parts
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced thinly
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1½ cup pomegranate arils
  • 1½ cups pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
  • 10 cups bread cubes, good quality
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup pear syrup from the jar
  • ½ cup heavy cream, optional
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • Few tablespoons of turkey drippings
Instructions
  1. If you are using fresh bread cubes, allow to dry out overnight or place in the oven on a sheet pan and dry out at 325F/150C for about 20-25 minutes.
  2. Allow to cool.
  3. In a large skillet or frying pan, melt the butter.
  4. Add the leeks and allow to soften
  5. Add the celery and garlic and cook until soft.
  6. Add the sage and rosemary and cook for two minutes or so.
  7. Place the cooked mixture into a big bowl.
  8. Add the cubes of bread and toss with the vegetables, allowing the butter to coat the bread.
  9. Sprinkle the pear syrup over the top the bread and toss.
  10. Add the heavy cream if using and toss again.
  11. Moisten the bread cubes with enough chicken broth as needed.
  12. Some people like the stuffing drier so you can adjust how much broth you add.
  13. If you like the stuffing more soft, add all the broth and add more pear syrup or cream if needed.
  14. Allow the cubes of bread to sit and soak the liquid for about 20 minutes.
  15. Meanwhile, chop the papers into bite size chunks and mix into the bread mixture.
  16. I chopped mine the same size as my bread chunks to give a more rustic looking dish.
  17. Add 1 cup of the pomegranate arils to the stuffing and mix through.
  18. Add the chopped pecans.
  19. Grease or spray a 9 x13 roasting tin or glass dish.
  20. Pour in the stuffing mixture.
  21. Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.
  22. Place the stuffing in the oven for about 45-55 minutes or until nicely brown and the liquid has all been absorbed.
  23. After it is baked, if you wish, pour the turkey drippings through the stuffing, and add the remaining pomegranate arils before serving.
  24. If stuffing the bird, place the stuffing in the cavity and follow turkey cooking directions.
  25. Bake the rest alongside, following directions above.
Notes
The heavy cream is optional but it does add a nice bread pudding type texture to the stuffing. If you don't like it too soft then you can omit it and add extra chicken broth to moisten.
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
3.2.2885

 

Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing-7

Hope everyone’s Thanksgiving prep is well underway. I just finished a big event last night and I can now start my planning. It hasn’t helped that I’m still not better. I have a sinus and ear infection and I pretty much can’t hear anything but buzzing in my right ear. My husband is pretty thankful that I can’t talk either.

The giveaway is now over! Winners announced in the new post.

I love to hear from my readers so please leave me a comment! If you enjoyed this post please share!

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related


« Pumpkin Doughnuts
Mushroom Yorkshire Puddings »

Comments

  1. Sugar et al. says

    December 1, 2014 at 4:07 am

    That looks incredible! I love all the flavours you have put together. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving…so much fun! Looking at all the excitement around Thanksgiving, I wish we celebrated it here in Australia.
    I don’t seem to be getting your notifications or I am not sure if I have missed them. Hope you are doing well.
    Sugar et al. recently posted..Pumpkin and Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza with Basil and FetaMy Profile

  2. My Inner Chick says

    November 30, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    Delectable Dressing.
    Can I have a BIG bite, please? 🙂 xxx
    I love the idea of pears in this!!
    My Inner Chick recently posted..6 Early Signs of Domestic AbuseMy Profile

  3. easyfoodsmith says

    November 29, 2014 at 9:52 pm

    Isnt it wonderful spending time with friends and with food to share,even more so. This definitely is a new dish to me and one that I look forward to try.
    easyfoodsmith recently posted..WINTER SALAD W/ WALNUT PASTA SAUCEMy Profile

  4. cheri says

    November 29, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    What a beautiful dressing, love that you added pomegranate seeds!
    cheri recently posted..Cottage Cooking Club November Two recipesMy Profile

  5. Joséphine says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:37 am

    Cette farce est vraiment appétissante !
    Joséphine recently posted..Tartelettes aux PommesMy Profile

  6. Karen says

    November 24, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    Being from the Deep South, we do dressing….this recipe has me ready to spread my wings and try something new!

  7. Karen says

    November 24, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    I will definitely have to try this…spread my wings and try stuffing! I’m from Alabama, the dressing capital of the South. Sounds delicious!

  8. Sheema says

    November 24, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    Oh my goodness, I love stuffing! We’re watching our carbs, so this year I got low carb bread with which to make it. There’s no way I can resist : )
    Sheema recently posted..First timeMy Profile

  9. Helene D'Souza says

    November 24, 2014 at 2:16 am

    Oh get better Nazneen!! I got a cold too and I can’t taste or smell anything. A food bloggers worst nightmare! O.O
    We don’t celebrate thanksgiving per se but everybody has for sure heard of it. We kind of have a “giving thanks” in all the European catholic countries which is in October on a Sunday. We build a huge decoration with produce and place it int he church, or that’s how I remember it at least. It’s obvious that I am forgetting European village traditions slowly…
    Helene D’Souza recently posted..Peach Jam Recipe {without Pectin}My Profile

  10. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Stuffing, or dressing as it was called growing up in Texas, has always been my favorite side. I don’t cook Thanksgiving because we have always gone to a friend’s home but if I did…this sounds like a great dish. I’ve got fresh pears from our orchard and may try a small version of this for two people with a roasted chicken.
    Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Behind The Scenes…Country Woman MagazineMy Profile

  11. Choc Chip Uru says

    November 21, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    All the Thanksgiving recipes are coming out and I am so jealous that we do not actually celebrate the holiday!
    Your stuffing looks absolutely delicious, I bet the pear adds a lot of sweetness and it does sound very festive!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru
    Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Guest Post: Mademoiselle Mange A SydneyMy Profile

  12. Kristen says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    My favorite is sourdough bread stuffing.

  13. manda says

    November 21, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Stuffing!

  14. Hotly Spiced says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    Thanksgiving is the one holiday I wish we celebrated. It really has good sentiments behind it with families coming together to share food around a table and pause to take time to acknowledge all there is to be thankful for. I could really get into it! A 40 pound turkey? That’s like a horse! We don’t see turkeys of that size here. I’m wondering how big the oven was that cooked it – there’s no way I could get something like that into my oven. We eat turkey on Christmas Day and I usually buy one that 6kgs which is around 13 pounds. Your pear stuffing with the pomegranates is a beautiful accompaniment for turkey xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..Coconut IceMy Profile

  15. Henna says

    November 20, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    40 pound turkey and 30 sides! HOLY CRAP!!
    Henna recently posted..Marinara SauceMy Profile

  16. Ash-foodfashionparty says

    November 20, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Wowie wow girlfriend, it is so nice to see your blog after a while. Hope you are doing awesome.
    That’s a nice holiday side, looks good. I’m more of the stuffing girl than the real main meal, so this would be loved.
    Have a great time during the holidays.
    Ash-foodfashionparty recently posted..ZESTY AUTUMN VEGETARIAN PROTEIN SOUPMy Profile

  17. Heather S says

    November 20, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    My favorite dish is the stuffing! 🙂

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      It’s one of my faves too!

  18. My Inner Chick says

    November 20, 2014 at 10:29 am

    Stuffing is my fave. dish over Thanksgiving!
    This looks FABULOUS.
    Drooling in Minnesota! xx
    My Inner Chick recently posted..Australia, Amy Winehouse, & AspergersMy Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      Thanks Kim! I like stuffing too!

  19. Ally says

    November 20, 2014 at 10:06 am

    I love filling (like stuffing but mixed with mashed potatoes) and cranberry sauce! 🙂

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      sounds interesting!

  20. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    November 20, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Love this stuffing! Full of such great flavors. Including pears is brilliant! And I’m with you on Thanksgiving being a foodie holiday. It’s my favorite — no cards or gifts to buy, just show up and eat. And a 40 pound turkey would take some eating! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that large!
    John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted..Roast Squash & Sweet Potato Chili with KaleMy Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      I like that, no gifts or cards! Let me tell you, 40 pound turkeys exist! My friend sourced an organic, free range and dressed and cleaned the whole thing. It took two people to carry it in! But I do like fruit in my stuffings, kind of a sweet/savoury combo. Thanks John!

  21. David says

    November 20, 2014 at 7:41 am

    These pears and the stuffing look amazing. If I were cooking Thanksgiving, I would definitely make this… maybe, if we roast a turkey the week after (a small one – NOT 40 pounds!!), I will make this! Before I tell you my favorite side dish, I have to say that many of the “traditional” ones you mention (the green beans and the sweet potatoes) are my least favorite in the world. Yes, in the world!!! My favorite side dish is a toss-up up between my Aunt Rae’s onions and sour cream (and Parmigiano-Reggiano) and my friend Patrician’s turnips with pears. Both are so incredibly good that I always have to have them at Thanksgiving. Happy gobbling! xo
    David recently posted..Can You Stand One More?My Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Hi David! Oh my goodness, that turkey was so huge that it needed two people to carry it in! And we all had plenty of leftovers to take with us. I like the sound of the onions and sour cream..yummy! My hubby’s family (they’re from South Carolina) have a sweet potato dessert that is more like dessert than a side dish for turkey but its what he asks for every year. It’s kinda good though and I’ve left my print on it now 🙂

  22. Bam's Kitchen says

    November 20, 2014 at 7:39 am

    Happy holidays to you Nanzeen. I love all of your delicious flavors in your stuffing and having something a little sweet in the stuffing is delightful. I am also interested in your recipe for the chicken in the back of your photos. Is this also on your website? Take Care, BAM
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted..Gluten-Free Herbes de Provence BunsMy Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:11 pm

      Haha, Bobbi! I’m going to post the chicken recipe soon. That was pretty good too!

  23. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

    November 20, 2014 at 6:46 am

    Wow… It is stuffing but it looks more like a feast… I wish I could have access to that local jarred pear with rosemary.
    Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving, my friend! May the Lord bless you all richly.
    Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Easy Mashed Pumpkin (Purê de Abóbora)My Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      I will enter you in the draw Denise! Maybe you’ll win and then get to try some!!

  24. Nancy @ Plus Ate Six says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:12 am

    Oh you poor thing I hope you’re better by Thanksgiving.
    The pears and rosemary combo sounds divine – I’m a bit of a stuffing fan myself I have to admit. Brings out the latent Brit in me I suppose! Your Thanksgiving get together sounds immense – hopefully you’ll have your voice back by then x
    Nancy @ Plus Ate Six recently posted..{In my hood} Bikes & cartsMy Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks Nancy, I hope so too! I can’t imagine having a party and being silent!! Is that what it is? A latent Brit thing? Cos I’m the one who loves stuffing in the house 🙂

  25. Gourmet Getaways says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:07 am

    When I saw your stuffing dish, first word that came to mind was “festive”! The vibrant colours and flavours make it so. And indeed, stuffing recipes come in handy as we approach the holiday season. So, thanks, Nazneen!!

    Julie & Alesah
    Gourmet Getaways xx
    Gourmet Getaways recently posted..Wattleseed & Macadamia Crusted BarramundiMy Profile

    • Nazneen Hamilton says

      November 20, 2014 at 1:08 pm

      Thanks Julie! I hope you can get a chance to make it, it was quite tasty!

Trackbacks

  1. Pickled Beets Slaw - Coffee and Crumpets says:
    December 15, 2014 at 12:02 am

    […] at MM Local Foods provided me with some of their excellent preserved and pickled products. I made a Pear and Pomegranate Stuffing with some of their Paonia Pears with Rosemary for Thanksgiving. The second product I picked was […]

Get new posts straight to your inbox...

Still hungry?

Stuffed Musquée de Provence Pumpkin
Turkish Soujouk Stew
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Karahi Chicken II~Stir Fried Chicken with Tomatoes
White Chocolate and Pistachio Babka
Harissa Braised Lamb
Honey Roasted Peach and Goat’s Cheese Tartlets
Peach Muffins with Rosemary Streusel
Shami Kebabs
Ground Chicken Kebabs

Copyright © 2025 Coffee and Crumpets · Implemented by WPopt

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.