Recipe: Cranberry and Corn Bread Stuffing

Cranberry and Corn Bread Stuffing
Recipe By : The California Culinary Academy
Serving Size : 10

4 tablespoons butter
1 carrot -- minced
1 stalk celery -- minced
1 medium onion -- minced
1/4 cup minced parsley
3 tablespoons dried whole sage leaves
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 cup cranberries
1 cup toasted walnuts
3 cups hot turkey broth or chicken stock
-----Quick Corn Bread-----
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup cornmeal

e1. Prepare corn bread; let cool. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter; add carrot, celery, and onion and saute until softened and cooked thoroughly (10 minutes).

2. Cut corn bread in 1-inch cubes. In a large bowl toss corn bread cubes with cooked carrot, celery, onion, parsley, sage, salt, and pepper. Add cranberries and walnuts. Mix in turkey broth.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (or turn heat down to 350 degrees F while turkey rests). Place stuffing in a 3-quart casserole and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake until hot (about 30 minutes).

Makes 10 cups stuffing, 12 to 16 servings.

Quick Corn Bread: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. In a small bowl combine the 4 tablespoons butter, milk, and eggs. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar; stir in cornmeal and make a well in center. Gradually stir milk mixture into dry ingredients until just combined and slightly lumpy. Do not overmix or corn bread will be tough. Place mixture in prepare pan; bake until top is golden brown (about 35 minutes).

Serves 8.

NOTES : Cranberries, walnuts, and corn bread mingle to make a superb stuffing for turkey, pork roast, and roast chicken. This stuffing is particularly appropriate for Thanksgiving. Corn and cranberries are native American foods that were part of the Indian diet when the Pilgrims arrived in the New World. If desired, add 8 ounces chopped fresh oysters to the stuffing mixture.