Let's Talk BBQ

Recipes => Recipes => Veggies, Casseroles, & Other Side Dishes => Topic started by: teesquare on November 29, 2011, 09:00:08 AM

Title: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: teesquare on November 29, 2011, 09:00:08 AM
Let's begin with the end in mind.......


(http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/teesquare1/COOKING/DSCF0666.jpg)

Thes dressing/stuffing has pecans, celery, apple, cranberries and sausage in it.
(http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/teesquare1/COOKING/DSCF0667.jpg)

Easy - but detailed:
What worked for me was a "3 to 2" ratio:

3 parts cornbread - to 2 parts of the celery, apple, cranberries ( dried) , pecans.

To make one large pan ( 15" x 10'' x 2-1/2'') -

You need to make enough cornbread to have 6 generous cups of seasoned cornbread crumbled up. (I use House Autry self rising corn meal mix )

So - start with adding the seasonings want to make the cornbread more savory. I added 2 tbs Steak Savor - 1 tbs rosemary and 1 tbs Thyme) Use what smells and tastes good to you.

While the cornbread was being made - I cold smoked 1 - lb. of original Conecuh Sausage  over Apple Wood - for a little extra smell. You don't want a lot of smoke - just a little extra aroma. The goal was to make the dressing smell like it was cooked over an oven hearth wood fire.
 (http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq1/teesquare1/COOKING/DSCF0665.jpg)
The sausage was sliced thin and browned in a cast iron skillet.  Then chopped up into little pieces

Next - add the celery, and 2 bunches of green onions ( well chopped) to the rendered fat in the skillet, and cook to clarify and soften. Add to the following-

2 cup dried cranberries
2 cups pecan pieces
2 cups fine chopped apple ( I like Granny Smith for this - but Fuji, or others will work too)
2 cups fine chopped celery
2 lg. eggs well beaten
Have chicken broth ( low salt) on hand for adding addional moisture ( you will likely

Mix all together - and make it nice and moist - even a bit wet.

Bake at 350 until you get the color ont he top of it you want - just make SURE that you get the interior temp of the mixture up to 165F for food safety reasons. ( SHould not be an issue - but I have to say it ;) )

This could be cooked on a gas or electric grill or in an oven.


This is a very hearty dish - that should you have any leftover, you may not even want turkey with it. Almost like a casserole that has a little meat in it. And - the very light amount of smoke aroma as it is cooking  - for me - is a great addition.


Hope you enjoy!

T

Title: Re: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: Pam Gould on November 29, 2011, 10:32:54 AM
Tee..is that the sausage that TLG brought to the gathering? If itis..it was killer, very very good.
Pammie ★*˚°。°
Title: Re: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: teesquare on November 29, 2011, 12:24:25 PM
That is the stuff Pam! I love it. I called Terry and told him he was responsible for getting me hooked on it!
Title: Re: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: TMB on November 30, 2011, 08:20:27 AM
Making my mouth water T2
Title: Re: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: teesquare on November 30, 2011, 09:00:52 AM
It was a good experiment Tommy. It is a definite keepr recipe around here.

T
Title: Re: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: IR2dum on December 01, 2011, 02:03:49 AM
Tim, that Conecuh smoked sausage is wonderful. Your dish looks phenomenal and I bet it tastes even better.
Title: Re: Savory Dressing for the Holiday Season
Post by: teesquare on December 01, 2011, 08:08:34 AM
Thanks Don!
Ilove that Conecuh almost as much as Smitty's! ;)  The dressing does taste really good. But - the smell of it cooking, with the hint of smoke - like it is cooking over a camp fire, is just incredible.

It is such a "full palate" of flavors that some folks that really crave a traditional dressing - may find it too different. I like traditional dressing too. But this one really just reminds me of what early settlers might have made, just to use up of some of the typical fall crops - (depending on what part of the country we are talking about)

T