Apricot and Nut Stuffing
Apricot and Nut Stuffing is a fragrant festive side made with dried apricots, wholemeal bread, walnuts and hazelnuts, seasoned with fresh thyme, sage and mace. The Thermomix chops the nuts and herbs evenly, grinds the spices to maximise aroma and mixes everything into a moist, rustic stuffing in minutes. Ideal alongside roast poultry or game during the holiday season.
About this recipe
Apricot and Nut Stuffing Thermomix TM7 recipes bring a wonderfully festive, fruity twist to the classic roast dinner accompaniment. This stuffing pairs plump dried apricots, soaked until juicy, with toasted walnut halves and blanched hazelnuts folded through coarse wholemeal breadcrumbs. Fresh thyme and sage, plus a warm hint of mace, give it that unmistakable holiday aroma that fills the whole kitchen. Searching for an all-in-one kitchen machine recipe for your Christmas dinner or Sunday roast side? The TM7 handles every step: it weighs the bread and nuts directly in the bowl, chops the herbs evenly, grinds the hazelnuts to just the right coarseness and mixes the moist mixture without crushing the apricot pieces. The texture is what makes this stuffing special, soft and aromatic underneath with crisp golden edges after baking. It is also an excellent make-ahead option, as the flavours deepen overnight, and it works beautifully stuffed under poultry skin or baked in a tin for a vegetarian centrepiece.
Preparation tips
- Pour the boiling water over the dried apricots in a small bowl and let them plump up completely before chopping, so they release their sweet juiciness into the wholemeal breadcrumbs rather than staying chewy during baking.
- Toast the walnut halves and blanched hazelnuts in a dry pan before the Thermomix chops them; this deepens their flavour noticeably and keeps the stuffing from tasting flat next to a rich roast.
- This stuffing can be prepared a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge, allowing the thyme, sage and mace to infuse the apricot and nut mixture overnight for a deeper, more rounded festive flavour.
Recipe variations
- Make a gluten-free version by replacing the wholemeal bread with stale gluten-free bread or cooked buckwheat; keep the apricot, walnut and hazelnut base identical so the sweet-nutty character and festive aroma stay exactly the same.
- For an autumnal variation, swap the dried apricots for dried figs or pears and add a diced apple; this gives the nut stuffing a softer seasonal sweetness that pairs wonderfully with roast pork or a vegetarian nut roast.
Why this recipe works
Elevate your Sunday roast with this delicious Apricot and Nut Stuffing, designed specifically for busy lives. Sweet apricots and crunchy nuts combine effortlessly, saving you precious preparation time. The Thermomix TM7 handles the chopping and cooking in moments, allowing you to focus on hosting or simply relaxing. Forget about manual labour and hello to consistent, flavourful results every time. This recipe ensures a gourmet side dish without the hours in the kitchen. It is the ultimate time-saving hack for those who demand quality without the hassle.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Built-in scale - The Thermomix weighs the wholemeal bread and walnuts directly in the bowl for consistently balanced stuffing. [Weighing]
- Even chopping - The TM7 chops fresh sage and thyme evenly, releasing their aromatic oils throughout the stuffing. [Chopping]
- Fine grinding - The Thermomix grinds blanched hazelnuts to your preferred coarseness for maximum nutty flavour. [Grinding]
- Gentle steaming - The Varoma of the TM7 steams the stuffing gently, keeping the apricots juicy and the crumb tender. [Steaming]
- Uniform mixing - The Thermomix mixes bread, nuts and apricots into a moist, evenly seasoned mixture without crushing the fruit. [Mixing]
Ingredients
- dried apricots
- boiling water
- wholemeal bread
- walnut halves
- blanched hazelnuts
- fresh thyme
- fresh sage leaves
- fine sea salt
- ground black pepper
- mace