Deluxe Cornbread Dressing Casserole Big Batch 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.

GRANDMA'S CORN BREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Prepare the dry corn bread mix according to package directions. Cool and crumble.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the celery and onion until soft.
• In a large bowl, combine the celery, onions, 3 cups crumbled corn bread, eggs, chicken stock, sage and salt and pepper to taste; mix well.
• Place into prepared dish and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

DELUXE CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the bread, pecans and seasonings; set aside. Crumble sausage into a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; cook over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles. Remove with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. , Add butter to drippings; saute the apples, celery and onion until tender. Add to bread mixture; stir in sausage and enough broth to moisten. , Spoon mixture into cast-iron skillet; cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake just until set, about 10 minutes.

CHICKEN OR TURKEY CORNBREAD DRESSING CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For the cornbread; in a large bowl stir together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar and cayenne (if using).
• Add in 2 eggs and the buttermilk; whisk until just moistened.
• Set oven to 425 degrees.
• In the oven, heat 3 tablespoons butter (or bacon drippings) in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or cake pan for 5 minutes.
• Pour the HOT butter or bacon drippings into the cornmeal batter; stir to combine, then pour the batter into hot skillet or cake pan.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
• At this point you can freeze the the cornbread for up to 1 month if desired.
• In a large skillet melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat; add in the green onions (or yellow onions) garlic and celery, saute for about 5 minutes or until tender.
• In a bowl whisk together 4 large eggs.
• Break the cooled cornbread into pieces and add to the eggs along with the green onion mixture, stuffing mix, chicken broth, corn niblets and cooked chopped chicken or turkey; stir with wooden spoon until just blended.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Butter both a 13 x 9-inch and a 9-inch baking pan.
• Spoon the mixture between the 2 pans, then sprinkle the tops with grated parmesan cheese.
• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake the 13 x 9-inch for about 50-60 minutes and the 9-inch for about 10 minutes less.

OYSTER DRESSING CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven 350 degrees.
• Butter 13"x9" baking pan.
• In large Dutch oven, brown ground beef and ham, breaking up large pieces; drain.
• Add onion, bellpepper, celery and garlic; saute until tender.
• In the meantime, without cleaning the processor from ham, add oysters with liquid and process until smooth.
• Add oyster mixture to pot, stirring until well mixed, cooking about 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
• Add parsley, green onions, paprika, and Kitchen Bouquet.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Turn off fire.
• Add breadcrumbs and combine well.
• Turn mixture into prepared baking pan and smooth top.
• Sprinkle top with additional breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
• Bake in preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes.