Southern Plantation Dressing From Gmaemeril Contest Winner Food

SOUTHERN DRESSING

Steps:

• Cut the cornbread and French bread into 1-inch cubes, place on a baking sheet and leave out until completely dried out, several hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Add the bacon to a skillet and saute over medium heat until cooked and almost crisp, about 7 minutes. Remove to a plate and wipe out any grease. Melt the butter in the skillet, throw in the celery, red peppers and onions and cook, stirring, until very soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the jalapenos and garlic and continue to saute for 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, add the parsley, rosemary and some salt and pepper and stir. Cook for a couple of minutes, then turn off the heat.
• Add the bread and bacon to a large bowl and spoon in some of the broth mixture. Keep adding the broth, tossing as you go, until it is all mixed in. Add more salt and pepper if needed and toss it around, then check the seasoning. If you like your dressing extra moist, add a little more broth.
• Pile the dressing into a 3-quart (9-by-13-inch) casserole pan and bake, uncovered, until golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve piping hot.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Add the cornmeal to a large bowl along with the flour, baking powder, salt, basil, sage and thyme and stir together.
• Measure the buttermilk in a measuring cup, add the whole milk and egg and stir together with a fork. Add the baking soda and stir. Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons shortening in the microwave and slowly add to the batter, stirring constantly until combined.
• In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and shortening. Pour the batter into the hot skillet, spread to even out the surface and cook over high heat for 1 minute. Then get it into the oven straightaway and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. The edges should be crispy.

SOUTHERN PLANTATION DRESSING FROM GMA/EMERIL CONTEST WINNER

Steps:

• Directions: Mix white bread and cornbread together into a bowl and set aside. Melt butter and add all onions and celery. Sauté until they have released all their liquids and are translucent. Mix onion-celery mixture into bread mixture. Add at least 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Slowly start adding in chicken broth. Gradually add broth, continually blending until the mixture has absorbed all the liquid it can without extra liquid in the bowl. You'll know when mixture is saturated when you press a spoon against botton of bowl and the broth barely seeps out. Keep adding salt and pepper until adequetely seasoned. Optional: Depending on who you're serving, mix in 1 pint drained, shucked oysters. Put in large baking dish and bake at 350° for 30 minutes covered with foil. Finish uncovered for another 20 minutes or until browned and the center is firm.

AWARD WINNING PLANTATION DRESSING

Steps:

• 1. Toast white bread and tear into very small pieces. Mix with corn bread in large bowl. Melt butter in skillet and add onions, green onions and celery. Sauté until translucent. Add to bread mixture and season with salt and pepper. Add just enough of the chicken broth gradually to bind the mixture, checking by pressing mixture with spoon and stopping when the broth begins to seep into the bowl. Adjust seasoning. Stir in oysters. Spoon into a large baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 20 minutes longer or until top is brown and center is firm. Serves 12 Big Taste of Little Rock

PLANTATION DRESSING

Steps:

• Beat together all ingredients in mixer.
• Store in tightly closed jar and keep refrigerated.