1 pound assorted fresh wild mushrooms (such as oyster and portobello)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
2 large shallots
chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
4 juniper berries (optional)
crushed
1 6- to 7-pound roasting chicken; liver
heart and gizzard reserved
finely chopped
1 cup (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon brandy
*Dried porcini mushrooms are available at Italian markets
specialty foods stores and many supermarkets.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F.
Place porcini in small bowl.
Pour enough hot water over to cover; let stand until mushrooms soften, about 20 minutes.
Drain.
Spread baguette cubes on small rimmed baking sheet.
Bake until golden, about 10 minutes.
Transfer toasted bread to bowl.
Maintain oven temperature.
Slice half of fresh mushrooms; set aside for sauce.
Coarsely chop remaining fresh mushrooms.
Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chopped mushrooms and shallots; saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add thyme and juniper berries, if desired; stir 1 minute.
Add to bowl with bread.
Mix in chopped liver, heart and gizzard, then 1/3 cup broth, parsley, salt and pepper.
Rinse chicken inside and out; pat dry with paper towels.
Sprinkle chicken cavity with salt and pepper.
Fill with stuffing.
Tie legs together.
Sprinkle outside of chicken with salt and pepper.
Place in roasting pan.
Roast chicken until thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 180F and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced with fork, about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Transfer to platter; cover with foil.
Pour pan drippings into measuring cup.
Transfer 3 tablespoons fat from top of drippings to heavy large skillet.
Spoon off remaining fat from pan drippings and discard.
Heat 3 tablespoons fat in skillet over medium-high heat.
Add sliced mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
Add remaining 2/3 cup chicken broth, degreased pan drippings and brandy and cook 3 minutes, adding more broth for desired sauce consistency.