Sourdough-Oyster Dressing

Ingredients

• 8 cups cubed sourdough bread (about 8 slices)
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (8-ounce) container shucked oysters, drained and coarsely chopped (about 2 dozen oysters)
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

Preparation

1. Arrange bread cubes on 2 baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until dry and golden.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Add salt and next 3 ingredients; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat.
3. Combine bread cubes, oyster mixture, bacon, parsley, and artichoke hearts in a large bowl, tossing well. Spoon dressing into a greased 11" x 7" baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 45 minutes.