Turkey Breast With Sausage-Apricot Stuffing

Makes 8 servings
Prep Time: 30 min.
Baking Time: 2 to 2 1/2 hrs.

Ingredients:
12 ounces pork sausage
2 cups dried bread cubes
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 ribs (1 cup) celery, sliced 1/2-inch
1 medium (1/2 cup) onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1 bone-in turkey breast (5 to 7-pound)
3 Tablespoons butter, melted

Recipe Directions:
Preheat oven to 350-degrees F.
1) In a 10-inch skillet, brown sausage over medium heat. Drain off fat.
2) In a large bowl, combine browned sausage and bread cubes, pecan, apricots, butter, broth, celery, onion, salt, sage, and pepper.
3) Gently loosen skin from turkey in neck area to make large area to stuff.
4) Stuff with enough sausage mixture to fill and secure skin flap with toothpicks.
5) Place remaining sausage mixture into ungreased 1-quart covered casserole and refrigerate until baking time.
6) Place stuffed turkey breast, breast-side up, on rack in roasting pan. Brush with 3 tablespoons melted butter.
7) Place roasting pan in oven and bake, basting occasionally, for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until meat thermometer reaches 170-degrees F. to 175-degrees F. and turkey breast is no longer pink. Let stand 10 minutes.
8) During last 30 minutes of turkey breast baking time, bake remaining stuffing for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through.