Multigrain bread stuffing with nuts and dried fruits (side dish for turkey)

Ingredients:

• 9 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing the pan
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 2 medium firm baking apples, cut into pieces
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 0.5 cup almond needles
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 4 cups lightly salted vegetable broth
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 16 cups stale multigrain bread, diced

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C and grease a 3-quart baking dish with butter.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 8 tablespoons of butter. Add the onion, apples, and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add the almonds, walnuts, seeds, dried blueberries, and dried cranberries. Add the broth and bring to a simmer.
3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs and parsley. Add the bread, then pour in the vegetable mixture and stir.
4. Transfer the bread filling to the prepared baking dish and spread the remaining 1 tablespoon diced butter over the surface. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake until golden brown, another 30 minutes.