Country Bread Stuffing with Smoked Ham, Goat Cheese, and Dried Cherries

Ingredients

    * 1/2 cup dried tart cherries


    * 1 (1-pound) loaf crusty country-style white bread
    * 1/4 cup olive oil
    * 4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
    * 1 large garlic clove, minced


    * 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
    * 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
    * 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery
    * 1 1/4 cups chopped smoked ham (preferably from 2 meaty ham hocks)
    * 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
    * 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley


    * 1/2 cup toasted husked hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
    * 1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth or turkey stock, heated
    * 4 ounces chilled fresh goat cheese, crumbled into 1/2-inch pieces



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