Cornbread Stuffing with Green Olives and Pecans
Serves 8
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup pecans
- 1 batch cornbread (homemade or store-bought, 8- to 10-inch pan size, or enough to make about 8 cups cubed)
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for buttering the baking dish
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 3/4 cup California green ripe olives, drained and roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup half and half
Special equipment:
- 9x13-inch baking dish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toast the pecans: Scatter the pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until slightly darkened and fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the pecans to a cutting board and roughly chop while still warm. Set aside until needed.
- Cut the cornbread into cubes and toast: Use a serrated knife to cut the cornbread into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Be gently as you slice to avoid crumbling the cubes. You should have about 8 cups cubed. Transfer the cubes and any crumbs the baking sheet used to toast the pecans. Toast for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring partway through, until the cubes look golden around the edges and feel dry to the touch.
- Meanwhile, cook the vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and celery, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the sage, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, olives, and cranberries. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer, or until the vegetables soften and the herbs are very aromatic. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Mix the stuffing: Gently stir the cooked vegetable mixture into the bowl with the cornbread cubes. Stir in the pecans. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, stock and cream together. Pour over the stuffing and toss gently to combine, using your hands if necessary to avoid crumbling the cornbread too much. The stuffing should feel evenly moist; sprinkle with additional chicken stock as needed. Transfer to the baking dish.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is brown and crisp.
- Serve: Serve the stuffing while warm. Stuffing can also be made a day or two ahead and warmed in the oven before serving.
