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–+ servings

Oyster Dressing

Photo by Lynne Calamia
ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 day 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Software

For the cornbread

  • 2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk, plus more if needed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup canned creamed corn
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the stuffing

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 ounces oyster crackers, crushed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 pint small oysters with liquor
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Specialized Hardware

  • 10-inch cast-iron skillet
  • 12-inch cast-iron skillet

Procedure

  • The day before making the stuffing, bake the cornbread: Heat oven to 425ºF and place a 10-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven. Combine the cornmeal, salt, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk to combine well. Combine the buttermilk, eggs, and creamed corn in another large bowl, whisking to combine thoroughly. Add the dry ingredients to the buttermilk mixture and stir to combine. If the batter will not pour, add more buttermilk.
  • Swirl the vegetable oil in the hot cast-iron skillet. Pour the batter into the skillet and bake until the cornbread is golden brown and springs back upon the touch, about 20 minutes. Let cool in the skillet, then crumble 6 cups of the cornbread, and spread out on a baking sheet. Let the cornbread dry out at room temperature, uncovered, about 24 hours.
  • Make the stuffing: Heat oven to 350ºF. Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion and celery are semi-translucent, about 15 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat; add the crumbled cornbread, oyster crackers, thyme, and sage, and stir well. Next, add the oysters with their liquor and the eggs; stir until combined. Pat the mixture down into an even layer.
  • Put the skillet on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown and crisp around the edges, about 30 to 35 minutes.