Prep: 25 min, Cook: 5:00 (hours - aprox)

1 lb. ground pork sausage
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups onion, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups celery, diced
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. sage, rubbed
1 cup fresh cranberries, cut in halves
8 cups dry bread cubes (or mix half and half with cornbread cubes)

1/2 cup chicken stock or milk, plus extra in case dressing too dry
1 12 to 14 lb. turkey
kitchen string
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted for basting before cooking
1-1/3 cups chicken stock

Heat a heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage 5-7
minutes, stirring frequently, breaking meat into small pieces, until cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a large bowl. Melt butter in skillet with drippings. Add onion and celery and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until tender. Stir in next 5 ingredients and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer onion mixture to bowl with sausage. Mix thoroughly, adding more stock if too dry.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Season inside of turkey cavity with salt and pepper to taste. Fill neck and cavity with stuffing. Truss bird with string. Pat skin dry with paper towels. Brush turkey with melted butter. Place turkey on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Roast turkey about 20 minutes per pound, basting with chicken stock and brushing with butter every 25 minutes, until a meat thermometer registers 175°F when inserted into thickest part of the thigh (or when thigh and leg fall easily away when pulled). Remove turkey from oven. Reserve fat and cooking juices for gravy. Let turkey stand 20 minutes before carving.