Mama’s Cornbread Dressing

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing: A Classic Southern Delight Ready to make the best cornbread dressing of your life? This old-fashioned recipe is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, promising to become a family favorite. Combining crumbled cornbread with aromatic vegetables and seasoned with sage, this cornbread dressing is the quintessential side dish for any festive occasion, particularly Thanksgiving. Here’s how you can make Mama’s Cornbread Dressing that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Ingredients Crumbled Cornbread: 3 cups Butter: 2 tablespoons Small Onion (diced): 1 Chopped Celery: 1/2 cup Large Eggs (beaten): 2 Chicken Stock: 2 cups Dried Sage: 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) Salt: To taste Ground Black Pepper: To taste Instructions on next page... Preheat the Oven (5 minutes) Set the Oven Temperature: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 7×11-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to ensure the dressing doesn’t stick. Prepare the Cornbread Base (5 minutes) Crumble Cornbread: Place 3 cups of crumbled cornbread in a large mixing bowl. The cornbread should be slightly dry, as this helps it absorb the flavors of the other ingredients more effectively. Sauté the Vegetables (5-7 minutes) Melt Butter: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Butter adds a rich flavor and helps sauté the vegetables to perfection. Add Onion and Celery: Once the butter is melted and hot, add the diced onion and chopped celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step is crucial as it releases the natural sweetness of the onions and the subtle, fresh flavor of the celery. Combine Ingredients (5 minutes) Mix Ingredients: Add the sautéed onion and celery to the bowl with the crumbled cornbread. Stir in 2 cups of chicken stock to moisten the mixture. The stock adds depth and richness to the dressing. Add Eggs and Seasoning: Beat 2 large eggs and add them to the bowl. Eggs act as a binder, helping to hold the dressing together. Season the mixture with 1 tablespoon of dried sage, salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Mix everything until well combined. The sage imparts a classic herbaceous flavor that is essential to traditional cornbread dressing. Bake the Dressing (30 minutes) Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the well-mixed dressing into the prepared 7×11-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly to ensure it cooks uniformly. Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the dressing starts to turn golden brown around the edges. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. Serve and Enjoy (5 minutes) Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the dressing from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and makes it easier to cut into servings. Presentation: Serve the cornbread dressing hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. It pairs perfectly with roasted turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce, making it a standout side dish for any holiday meal. Final Thoughts Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is a testament to the comfort and tradition of Southern cooking. This recipe combines the familiar flavors of cornbread, aromatic vegetables, and savory sage, creating a dish that's both nostalgic and delicious. Whether you're serving it at a holiday feast or a family dinner, this dressing is sure to be a hit. Its golden crust and moist, flavorful interior make it an irresistible addition to your table. Enjoy the rich heritage and wonderful taste of this classic cornbread dressing, and make it a cherished part of your culinary traditions.

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing: A Classic Southern Delight

Ingredients

Instructions on next page…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply