Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Stuffing Or Southern Corn Bread Dressing for Thanksgiving?  

Will you serve Stuffing or Southern Corn Bread Dressing with your Turkey this year for Thanksgiving?  

I honestly have never eaten Stuffing and I wouldn't even know how to prepare it.  All I have ever known is having SCBD for Thanksgiving.  If I'm not mistaken (feel free to correct me if I am wrong) but the key difference between the two, lies in the cooking methods as well as a few different ingredients.  




Cornbread dressing, in particular, emphasizes bold, earthy flavors, distinguishing it from bread-based stuffings.   I personally prefer Cornbread Dressing with a good bit of sage added and the rich turkey broth that makes it have such a wonderful flavor.  



 

I am assuming, that with Stuffing, it is always cooked INSIDE of the Turkey??  This is actually a question because I really do not know.   What I do know is that Cornbread Dressing is a separate dish that accompanies the Turkey. 

We only have Dressing once or twice a year...at Thanksgiving and sometimes again at Christmas.  For me, Dressing is a dish of Memories and Tradition.  Memories of my mother's fabulous dressing makes my mouth water even today.


Thanksgiving 2023

The preparation process is often a combined effort from mostly the ladies in the family.  I remember watching my mother prepare all the ingredients but I often say I wish I had make written notes rather than mental notes when helping her make the dressing.   Most of the time, the family recipe is handed down from generation to generation and it is "THAT" recipe which represents the RICH family history of cooking the Thanksgiving meal.  

                       Family Thanksgiving 2021 at Trista's and Ty's (oldest daughter and son-in-law)

As my family gathers around to eat for the Holiday season, it will be my hopes that the traditions of the past continue to enrich the present, one DELICIOUS  bite at a time.  

My Moms Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe:


For the cornbread:  

2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs

2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup melted butter

For the Dressing:

1 pan of crumbled cornbread

8 slices of white bread stale or toasted and crumbled

1 sleeve saltine crackers crushed

1 stick butter

1 large onion chopped

4 stalks celery finely chopped

4 cups Turkey broth or Young Hen broth

2 tsp dried sage (or to taste)

1/2 tsp black pepper

3 large eggs (beaten)

optional:  1 cup of cooked shredded chicken or turkey


Instructions:


Preheat oven to 425 degrees, Grease a cast-iron skillet.

In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, slat, and baking soda.

In a separate bowl, mx eggs, buttermilk and melted butter.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Pour batter into cast-iron skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Let the cornbread cool, the crumble into a large mixing bowl. 


Prepare the Dressing: 


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

In a skillet, melt butter over med heat.  Add onions and celery, cooking until soft and translucent

In the mixing bowl with the crumbled cornbread, add the crumbled bread, crushed crackers, cooked onion and celery, sage and black pepper.  

Gradually stir in the broth, one cup at a time, until the mixture is moist but not soupy.  Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.  

Add the beaten eggs and optional chicken or turkey.  Stir until incorporated.  

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.  

Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy and the center is set.  


That is it Folks!!!  Delicious Southern Cornbread Dressing...  Don't forget the giblet gravy!!

HaPpY MoNdaY....

shug


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

A Surprize Gift

 Yep......as the seasons change, so does our susceptibility to various viral bugs.  It is this time of year when I always seem to develop a respiratory illness.  Cold, flu, allergies.....I'm not sure what this one is, but it has sure made me feel crummy. 


I have found that the road to a full recovery, especially when dealing with chest congestion, often requires a lot of patience and care.  Something I need to work harder at doing.

Chest congestion is for sure, one of those frustrating symptoms that refuses to resolve overnight.  "Vicks" vapor rub always comes to my rescue though.  Nothing like having Vicks on the soles of your feet and covering them with socks.  This truly helps.

During my recent experience, I encountered a change at my doctor's office.  Like many clinics these days, they've implemented new policies aimed at managing patient care efficiently.  One of these is a $35.00 fee for prescriptions called in without an appointment.  The fee must be paid before the prescription will be called in and processed.  

When I am sick, I do not want to have to get dressed and drive 20 minutes, wait another 20-30 minutes to be seen and then drive back home.   I gladly paid the $35.00!  Strange thing is..... This same office filled the same medicine for Sam with NO CHARGE! 

 Enough about being Sick...I'm ready to kick my heels up and move on!!


On a very Happy note, I had a surprise gift delivered to my side door yesterday morning.  It was a beautifully wrapped package and I absolutely loved what was inside.  



Ms. Peggy is the sweetest lady.  When I clean out my closet, I usually just call Ms. Peggy and tell her I have some goodies for her.  She comes by and picks up everything that I don't want.  
This was her way of saying Thank you!
I am very Blessed to have her as a dear friend.  

You all are truly beautiful and Amazing
Asking for Blessings to be yours today.

Shug






Monday, November 18, 2024

Thank you!





 Just stopping in today to Say Thank you for all of your prayers.  Sam is feeling Better and actually went in to the office this morning. 

My chest is still very congested.  Hoping to get some medication today.  I've been taking the NyQuil, but goodness, that stuff makes me feel terrible in itself.  I think I coughed all night long.   Going to use the nebulizer today and hopefully this will open up my lungs.  

Tomorrow, I know will be a better day. 

Hugs to each of you...

Shug....

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Sunday morning News!!

Sam and I both have the crud!  Chest congestion, headache, stuffed up noses and sleepless nights.  

Hopefully this is a fast moving viral cold that will move it's way on out quickly. 


Sam's head is stopped up and his ears are all stopped up as well......I am sitting here wearing AirPods because my ears are very sensitive and having the TV blaring at 60 decibels is wayyyyyy too loud for me. 

Bless his heart....I have had stopped up ears before and I know how it feels.



I am thankful for AIRPODS!

Hope you all have an EAr-resistibly charming day!!

Shug....  Happy Sunday!



 

Stuffing Or Southern Corn Bread Dressing for Thanksgiving?   Will you serve Stuffing or Southern Corn Bread Dressing with your Turkey this y...