Let's begin with the end in mind.......
Thes dressing/stuffing has pecans, celery, apple, cranberries and sausage in it.
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.
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
