Preparation

• Break the cornbread into roughly 3/4-inch chunks. You should have about 8 to 10 cups. Set aside.

  Melt the 2 Tbs. of butter or heat the 2 Tbs. olive oil in a large covered skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions, celery, and chopped fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re slightly softened but still have some crunch. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and stir in dried pears and raisins.

  Add the bread to the large mixing bowl, along with the parsley, thyme, and fennel seeds and toss well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  Pour 2 cups of the broth over the stuffing. If the liquid isn’t immediately absorbed and pools at the bottom of the bowl, you should have enough; just toss the mixture occasionally for a few minutes until the liquid is absorbed. At first, the bread cubes may feel wet on the outside and still be dry on the inside, but they’ll even out as the stuffing cooks.

  If the bread immediately sucks up the initial 2 cups of liquid, add another 1/2 cup of broth and taste the mixture. The bread should be moist but not soggy. Add up to another 1/2 cup of broth if necessary.

  Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper as needed. If the mixture doesn’t taste as rich as you’d like, add enough melted butter or olive oil to suit your taste, up to 1/4 cup more. Once you’re satisfied with the flavor of the mixture, stir in the beaten eggs.

  Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with oil or cooking spray. Spread the stuffing in the dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the top is lightly browned and crisp, another 20 to 30 minutes.