Try a Taste of
the South This Thanksgiving With Cornbread Dressing
As
Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to start planning the perfect Turkey Day
menu. You may put a lot of thought into trying new twists on favorite side
dishes and desserts, but what about your stuffing? If you automatically make
the same herb-bread stuffing every year, you may want to consider a classic
Southern dish: cornbread dressing.
Making
cornbread dressing is not so different from making bread stuffing, and
cornbread, turkey and gravy make a delicious and memorable combination. This is
a traditional Southern recipe that is easy to make and a delight to the taste
buds. You and your guests may love it so much you’ll need to invest in used accugrade equipment to shovel it onto everyone’s
plates!
Traditional Southern Cornbread
Dressing
Ingredients
6
cups crumbled cornbread
3
cups soft bread crumbs
4
ounces butter
2
cups chopped onions
2
cups chopped celery
3
to 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
1
tablespoon dried sage
1
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1
teaspoon salt
½
teaspoon black pepper
2
eggs, lightly beaten
Directions
Preheat
oven to 400 F.
In
large bowl, combine cornbread and bread crumbs.
In
a saucepan over medium heat, sauté onion and celery in butter until soft. Add
to and combine with bread mixture. Add enough chicken or turkey broth to
moisten. Add seasonings and beaten eggs, blending well. Spread dressing mixture
in large, shallow roasting pan and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.
Although
the traditional Southern way to prepare and serve dressing in outside of the
bird, you can also stuff your turkey with it if you wish. In fact, the only
difference between stuffing and dressing is where you put it. Putting
stuffing into cavity of the turkey can give it a moister and richer flavor,
although there is always the worry of possible salmonella contamination. If you
stuff your turkey, just make sure the temperature in the center of the stuffing
reaches 165 F.
Some Flavorful Twists
The
beauty of a simple recipe like this is that it’s easy to add in other
ingredients and make it your own. Try adding chopped, cooked sausage – either
hot or mild – or cooked ground sausage. Other meats liked cooked ham or bacon
are also delicious.
Other
great add-ins include various fruits and nuts, such as chopped apples, raisins
or cranberries. Try adding toasted nuts such as pecans, pine nuts or walnuts
for great texture and flavor. Also, feel free to experiment with herbs like
fresh parsley, cayenne or rosemary. Add what appeals to you and you’re sure to
have a hit.
Michelle
is a blogger and freelancer. She’s written about almost every topic under the
sun, and loves constantly learning about new subjects and industries while
she’s writing. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her
dogs. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.