CHALLAH-APPLE STUFFING

Ingredients :
2 1-lb loaves challah
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
2 cups diced celery
2 cups diced onion
2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples
8 sprigs thyme, finely chopped
3 sprigs rosemary,  finely chopped
6 sprigs marjoram, finely chopped
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper, to taste
Note: To dice means to chop into roughly ¼-inch cubes.
Special Equipment:
Aluminum Foil
9x13-inch baking dish
Directions:
Cut challah into 1-inch cubes and let cubes sit out in a bowl or on a baking tray, uncovered, for at least six hours to make them stale.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large saute pan, melt butter over medium-low heat, then add onions and celery. Add three teaspoons of salt and ground pepper to taste, and cook until onions are soft, about 8 minutes. Add apples and herbs and cook until apples are soft, about 5 minutes more.

In a large bowl, combine challah cubes, cooked vegetables in butter, and chicken broth. Mix until the bread is saturated with liquid, and everything is evenly mixed. Press stuffing into a 9x13-inch baking dish and cover with foil. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, then remove the foil, raise your oven to 450°F, and cook stuffing uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top starts to brown slightly.
Cool 10 minutes, then serve.