Homemade stuffing is really easy to make. Simply mix all your ingredients together and put into a bowl, then cover and steam for 1½ hours. Alternatively cover and microwave for bursts of 1 minute on full powder, stirring after each minute until the oatmeal is soft and cooked. Leave to stand for one minute to complete cooking.
You can add your favourite mix-ins to the basic recipe to make it your own. Just add in a little at a time until it looks and tastes delicious, then either steam or microwave as above.
Christmas store cupboards are usually full of dried fruits, nuts seeds and spices – just use what you have. A touch of citrus lifts the flavours – lemon, orange or lime zest all work really well.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Apricot and almond
Chopped ready to eat apricots and flaked or chopped almonds, add some spice with a little ground ginger
Apple, cranberry and pistachio
Grated apple, dried cranberries and some chopped pistachio nuts
Chilli lime and coconut
A few chilli flakes, grated lime zest and desiccated coconut, and add a little sugar for that sweet chilli hit.
Lemon, black pepper and pumpkin seed
Grated lemon zest, roughly ground black pepper and crunchy pumpkin seeds. Add a handful of raisins for sweetness.
My Mum’s herby stuffing
Add some sausage meat, a teaspoon of mixed herbs and season well with salt and pepper. Use some beaten egg to bind if needed.
Celery, apple walnut and mushroom
Add a mix of all three finely chopped, season well with salt and pepper.
Hazelnut, orange and apple
Add chopped hazelnuts, the zest of an orange and some grated apple with a pinch or two of thyme if liked.
Pecan, cream cheese and tarragon
Add finely chopped pecans, some cream cheese, chopped tarragon, plenty of lemon juice and salt and pepper
Smoked bacon, fig and sunflower seeds
Chop smoked bacon and fry until crisp. Add to your oatmeal mixture with chopped dried figs or dates and sunflower seeds.
