Better Than Aunt Pattis Cornbread Dressing Food

THE BEST CORNBREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• For the cornbread: preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish generously with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl until combined.
• Put the butter in a 4-cup liquid measuring cup or a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until completely melted, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool slightly, then whisk in the buttermilk, whole milk and eggs until smooth.
• Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined with no lumps remaining. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. (The cornbread can be made one day in advance. After cooling completely, wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.)
• Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• Once the cornbread is completely cool, run a small offset spatula around the edges of the pan, then invert it onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch cubes. Transfer to 2 rimmed baking sheets and spread into an even layer. Bake, rotating the trays halfway through, until the cornbread cubes are crisp at the edges and almost completely dried out, about 40 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely. (This step can be done up to 24 hours in advance. Store the cooled cornbread cubes in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag until ready to use.)
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish generously with butter.
• For the dressing: melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, sage, thyme and poultry seasoning and cook until fragrant, 2 minutes more. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the cornbread cubes, chicken broth and eggs to the bowl and toss gently until the vegetables are evenly dispersed and the bread is very moist (do not overwork or the cornbread will fall apart). Transfer to the prepared baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake until warmed through, about 30 minutes. Uncover, then return to the oven and bake until lightly browned and crisp at the edges, about 20 minutes more. Let sit for 10 minutes, then top with chopped parsley and serve.

BETTER THAN AUNT PATTI'S CORNBREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook cornbread according to package directions. Cook for the minimum time and don't let cornbread brown as much as you normally would. Cut it up into pieces and after cool enough to handle then crumble it up leaving no large chunks and transfer to a very large mixing bowl. (I use the bowl from my Kitchen Aid).
• In a microwaveable bowl (I use my four cup Pyrex measuring cup) put in your onion and celery and 1 cup of water. Microwave for 5-8 minutes until celery and onion are soft depending on how finely you sliced them. (keep the vegetable broth! it adds a of flavor!) Drop in the butter and let melt.
• Combine all ingredients in the mixing bowl and mix well until cornbread has absorbed most of the liquids. It will be a little soupy but don't worry about it. Pour into a sprayed 9x13 casserole dish and bake at 425 for 30 minutes.
• The center might still be a little wiggly but that is ok. It will set up nicely as it cools.
• I cook in glass Pyrex cookware so if you are using a dark metal 9x13 casserole pan the cooking time might need to be less. I really don't know. Sorry.

AUNT DOT'S CORNBREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Boil chicken thighs until tender and shred into pieces when cool enough to handle.
• Melt butter and saute chopped onions and chopped celery until softened. Crumble corn bread (sometimes I use cornbread muffins from the bakery section of my local supermarket) and seasoned bread crumbs.
• Add the onions, celery, milk, soup, salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Add chicken and chicken broth one cup at a time or until mixture has a smooth consistency.
• Beat eggs slightly and add to mixture.
• I usually do a taste test at this point and add more seasonings if needed. Bake in a large greased pan at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.