In my family, Turkey and Ham is not the center of Thanksgiving or Christmas, it is Cornbread Dressing, this is my Grandma’s recipe she got from her mother, who got from her mother, etc.. It is a southern classic. It can be doubled or tripled for big holiday gatherings
Cornbread recipe:
Shortening
2 C self rising cornmeal (white cornmeal is best)
1/2 C buttermilk
1 egg
1 T sugar
1/4 C plus 2 T butter or margarine, melted
Use shortening to grease muffin tin or baking pan. Preheat oven to 350. Combine cornmeal, buttermilk, egg, sugar, and the 1/4 cup butter in a mixing bowl. Mix gently with a whisk (do not beat) pour mixture into pan. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown, remove from pan, brush with remaining butter.
If you are fortunate to have a cast iron skillet, you can use the same recipe, but melt butter into cast iron skillet until bubbling, pour batter into skillet and then place into 350 degree oven until golden brown. You can do this a day or so before making the dressing.
Dressing recipe:
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 cups cornbread crumbled
2 cups biscuit crumbled
4 eggs, beaten
2 hard boiled eggs, shelled
1/2 cup chopped chicken
1 t sage
2 C chicken broth
Sautee onions and celery in butter in a small skillet (cast iron preferred) until the onions are soft. Preheat oven to 350.
In large bowl, mix onions, celery and butter with the cornbread and biscuit crumble, beaten and hard boiled eggs, chicken and sage. Mix well, add chicken broth and mix well again.
Pour into greased casserole or baking dish.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. (this serves about 8-10).
Lisa Baldridge