Recipe: Corn Bread and Smoked Ham Stuffing

Corn Bread and Smoked Ham Stuffing

1/2 cup Butter
2 medium Onions -- chopped
1 Leek+3 inch of greens Chopped fine
2 Cloves garlic -- minced
2 Ribs Celery -- diced fine
1/2 pound Smoked ham -- sliced 1/4"thick & diced
1 teaspoon Sage -- dried and crumbled
1 teaspoon Thyme -- dried
Freshly ground pepper
2 8oz pkg plain cornbread stuffing
1/2 cup Parsley -- finely chopped
2 To 3 cups chicken broth

Melt the butter in a large skillet; saute' the onions, leek using 3 inches of the tops also, and the celery over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the ham,sage , thyme and pepper, cook stirring, for 1 minute more. Gradually stir in the corn bread stuffing; add the parsley and cook over medium heat until the corn bread is coated with stock, or enough to moisten the stuffing without making it wet. Toss well, then spoon into a 9 x 13-inch lasagna pan or two small carrelore dishes. Stuffing may be prepared to this point and refrigerated overnight.

Baking instructions:
Cover with foil and bake in a 375^degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

Microwave Instructions:
Spoon into 2 microwavable 2-quart dishes. Cover with casserole lids, Microwavable cling wrap or wax paper. Micro on HIGH (100% power) for 4 minutes. Give casserole one quarter turn and micro on Medium (50 % power) for another 3 to 4 minutes.