Cornbread Dressing

Cornbread dressing is a delicious and traditional Southern dish, often enjoyed during the holiday season. It’s a savory side that combines crumbled cornbread with a mixture of vegetables, broth, and seasonings. Here’s a classic recipe to make cornbread dressing:

Ingredients:

For the Cornbread:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup melted butter

For the Dressing:

• 4 cups crumbled cornbread
• 4 cups cubed bread (day-old bread works best)
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups finely chopped onions
• 2 cups finely chopped celery
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried sage)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Making the Cornbread:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter.
4. Combine and Bake: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cornbread cool completely, then crumble into small pieces.

Making the Dressing:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and celery, and cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread and cubed bread. Add the sautéed vegetables, broth, beaten eggs, sage, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine. The mixture should be moist but not soggy; add more broth if necessary.
4. Bake the Dressing: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve: Let the dressing cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your homemade cornbread dressing as a flavorful side dish to your holiday meal!