What other folks call stuffing, I was taught to call dressing, although they are the same thing. (Besides, if my dressing isn't actually stuffed into the bird, how can it be called a stuffing?) A couple of important points: First, be sure that the ingredients are thoroughly cooked before mixing—they will only be heated up in the oven. And let the bread stand out overnight to become stale so it can hold more broth without falling apart.
Servings: Serves 4–6
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound turkey sausage links , casings removed
  • 2 large onions , chopped
  • 3 Granny Smith apples , peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 3 ribs celery , chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Poultry seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 Classic Southern Cornbread , crumbled and left out overnight, uncovered, to dry (about 8 cups)
  • 4 cups cubed (1-inch cubes) white sandwich bread , left out over night, uncovered, to dry
  • 3 cups chicken broth or canned low-sodium broth , heated
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Directions
    Position rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Lightly oil a 15x10-inch baking dish.

    Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Add the turkey sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with the side of a spoon, until it loses its pink color, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

    Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and heat. In batches, if necessary, add the onions, apples and celery and cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the poultry seasoning, sage and thyme. Mix with the sausage in the bowl.

    Add the cornbread and bread cubes and mix well. Gradually add enough of the broth to moisten the dressing; it should not be soggy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread evenly in the baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. (The dressing can be prepared up to 6 hours ahead and refrigerated.)

    Bake until the dressing is heated through, about 30 minutes (about 45 minutes if the dressing has been chilled). If you like a crusty top, remove the foil halfway through baking. Serve hot.

    Adapted from Art Smith's Back to the Table

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