Bacon and Apple Stuffing Muffins

You will need: 11-inch skillet, 12-cup muffin pan

1 loaf (16 ounces) day-old white bread, cut in small cubes

8 ounces bacon

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 medium onion, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 - 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Place cubed bread in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

2. Sauté bacon in skillet over medium-high heat, until brown and crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels and drain. Pour off all but 2 Tablespoons of drippings from skillet. Add diced onion, celery, salt, pepper, sage and thyme to skillet and cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes, making sure to scrape up all those brown bits around the pan. Add diced apple and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, until onions and celery are softened. Pour mixture over cubed bread.

3. Cut bacon into bite-size pieces, add to the cubed bread, and toss. Pour melted butter over the mixture and toss. Add egg followed by 1/2 cup chicken stock and toss thoroughly. If you need more liquid, add a spoon of stock at a time until you get the right consistency - the mixture should be moist.

4. Using an ice cream scoop, divide stuffing evenly into prepared muffin tin and bake for 35-40 minutes, until tops are golden. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve hot.