Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating gratitude and coming together with loved ones, and what better way to infuse a twist into your traditional feast than by adding a touch of Jewish and Israeli flavors? The sweet raisin challah, fragrant sage, and fennel create a fusion of flavors that are sure to make your Thanksgiving dinner delicious. Plus, we’ll even top it off with a drizzle of tahini for that extra touch of Israel. Let’s get started!

Apple & Fennel Raisin Challah Stuffing Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 large loaf of raisin challah, cut into ¾-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 2 medium fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
  • 4 large celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 apples, chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Tahini for drizzling (optional)

Directions:

Preheat and Prepare:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Oil a 9×13 baking dish or a casserole dish.

Toast the Challah Cubes:

  • Divide the challah cubes among two baking sheets or one large one.
  • Drizzle the cubes with ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil.
  • Toss the cubes to evenly coat them with oil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cubes are toasted and golden brown.

Sauté the Vegetables:

  • In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, fennel, and celery over medium-high heat until they become translucent, about 4-6 minutes.

Add the Apples and Sage:

  • Add the chopped apples to the skillet and sauté until they are slightly softened.
  • Stir in the sage and allow the mixture to cook for an additional minute.
  • Remove the pan from the heat.

Combine Ingredients:

  • In a large bowl, add the baked challah cubes.
  • Toss them with the sautéed vegetables, and mix well.

Season and Assemble:

  • Pour the vegetable or chicken stock evenly over the mixture to moisten the stuffing.
  • Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  • Gently combine all the ingredients to ensure an even distribution of flavors.

Bake:

  • Transfer the stuffing to the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
  • Drizzle a little extra olive oil over the top.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, remove the foil from the baking dish.
  • Continue baking for an additional 10-20 minutes or until the top is beautifully golden and slightly crispy.

Finish with Tahini (Optional):

  • For an extra taste of Israel and a delightful twist, drizzle the finished stuffing with tahini just before serving.

Serve and Enjoy!

Bring this delectable Apple and Fennel Raisin Challah Stuffing recipe to the table and watch as it disappears before your eyes. Enjoy your delicious creation with your favorite main dish!

More Thanksgiving Recipes Inspired By Birthright Israel

A huge perk of a Birthright Israel trip is the food! Many young adults return home with a desire to incorporate the Israeli cuisine they tried into their everyday dishes. For example, we have Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Kugel or an Apple Crumble with Date Syrup.

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