Delicious Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing

1 large loaf whole wheat bread, cubed and dried (about 10 cups)
1 1/2  tablespoon olive oil
2 medium-large yellow onions, diced
4 medium stalks celery, chopped
1 small fennel bulb, diced
1 pound mushrooms, sliced (mix of cremini, shiitake and oytster)
1 1/2 cups chestnuts (roasted from 1 lb. fresh, or use jarred chestnuts), crumbled
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
3 tablespoons fresh sage
¼ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large eggs, lightly beaten (vegans, use a substitute such as ground flax seed mixed with water)
1½ to 2 cups vegetable broth (recommend Imagine brand No-Chicken Broth here)
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the onions, celery and fennel, and sauté for 10 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes more.  Turn off heat and add the chestnuts, herbs, olive oil and eggs. Mix well, then add broth until the stuffing is quite moist but not overly soggy. Add salt and pepper if you’d like.
Place in an oiled casserole dish, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer, until stuffing is crusty on top.
(For an added burst of flavor, drizzle your favorite Infused Olive Oil over the top of this hearty and delicious stuffing!)