CORN BREAD DRESSING WITH PECANS AND BACON

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Corn Bread Dressing with Pecans and Bacon image

Provided by Jean Anderson

Categories     Side     Bake     Thanksgiving     Dinner     Stuffing/Dressing     Bacon     Pecan     Corn     Fall     Family Reunion     Potluck     Peanut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes 12 to 14 servings, enough to stuff a 12- to 15- pound turkey

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 cups (3 quarts) 3/4- to 1-inch chunks stale, dry corn bread (use your favorite recipe; see headnote)
6 slices stale, dry firm-textured white bread, cut into 1/2- inch cubes (see headnote)
2 cups coarsely chopped toasted pecans (see Note above)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley
1 pound hickory-smoked bacon, each slice cut crosswise into strips 1/2 inch wide
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted, or 1 cup bacon drippings or vegetable oil
2 very large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
4 large celery ribs, trimmed and coarsely chopped (include a few leaves)
1 tablespoon rubbed sage
1 1/2 teaspoons dried leaf thyme, crumbled
6 cups chicken broth or stock
3 extra-large eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spritz a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • 2. Place the two breads, pecans, and parsley in a very large mixing bowl and set aside.
  • 3. Brown the bacon in a very large, heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring often, for 12 to 14 minutes until all the drippings render out. Drain the bacon on paper toweling and if you intend to use the drippings in the dressing, pour them into a measuring cup. You should have about 1 cup; if not, round out the measure with melted butter or vegetable oil.
  • 4. Heat 1/2 cup of the melted butter or bacon drippings in the same skillet for about 1 minute over moderately high heat. Add the onions and celery and cook, stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. Add the sage and thyme, and cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more.
  • 5. Scoop the skillet mixture into the mixing bowl along with the reserved bacon and remaining melted butter or bacon drippings; toss well. Add 3 cups of the chicken broth, the eggs, salt, and pepper and toss well again.
  • 6. Transfer the dressing to the baking pan, spreading to the edges, then drizzle the remaining 3 cups chicken broth evenly on top.
  • 7. Cover snugly with heavy-duty foil and bake on the middle oven shelf for 25 minutes. Stir the dressing well, cover again with foil, and bake 20 minutes more or until steaming.
  • 8. Serve hot with roast turkey, chicken, or pork and top with lots of gravy.

Lilia Vanrouge
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I've never made cornbread dressing before, but this recipe made it easy. It turned out great!


Elise Ryle
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This dressing is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's worth it. It's so delicious!


Dillanna Scott
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I'm not a fan of pecans, so I left them out of my dressing. It was still really good!


Mubarak Olamilekan
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This dressing is a great make-ahead dish. I like to make it the day before Thanksgiving and then just reheat it on the day of.


arif haslo
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This dressing is so easy to make and it's always a hit with my family. I love that I can use leftover cornbread to make it.


Nicola Chalk
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I'm not sure what I did wrong, but my dressing turned out really dry. I think I might have overcooked it.


Claudenold Sine
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This is the best cornbread dressing I've ever had. It's so moist and flavorful, and the pecans and bacon add a really nice touch.


Kyakonyi Alex
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I made this dressing for a potluck and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it!


Dipika Nepal
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This dressing was a little too sweet for my taste. I think I would use less sugar next time.


Ali raza Watto
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I've made this dressing several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. It's the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.


Sudip
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This dressing is a great way to use up leftover cornbread. It's easy to make and it's always a hit with my family.


Jeff Wonders
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I'm not a big fan of cornbread, but I actually really liked this dressing. It was moist and flavorful, and the pecans and bacon were a great addition.


Mandy Schwindt
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The dressing was a little dry for my taste, but the flavor was good. I think I would add more butter or broth next time.


Sabeeh Khan
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This recipe was easy to follow and the dressing turned out great. I would definitely make it again.


Liam Santiago
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I made this dressing for my family and they really enjoyed it. It was moist and flavorful, and the pecans and bacon added a nice touch.


Harka sarki
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This cornbread dressing was a hit at our Thanksgiving dinner! Everyone loved the flavor and texture, and it was a great way to use up leftover cornbread.