Crock Pot Holiday Dressing
This great-tasting recipe will solve your oven space problem if you don't usually stuff your holiday turkey. It's a newspaper clipping recipe that I tweaked just a little and I wouldn't plan to make my future dressing any other way, even if I had three ovens!
This great-tasting recipe will solve your oven space problem if you don't usually stuff your holiday turkey. It's a newspaper clipping recipe that I tweaked just a little and I wouldn't plan to make my future dressing any other way, even if I had three ovens!
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups celery chopped
- 2 cups onions chopped
- 1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine
- 12 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced thin
- 12 cups dried bread cubed
- 1 teaspoon paul prudhomme's poultry magic seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh peppercorn ground
- 2 raw eggs beaten
- Carbohydrate 3.36136659519206 g
- Cholesterol 322.302857142857 mg
- Fat 60.1535103959349 g
- Fiber 0.840795922356959 g
- Protein 75.2637305836768 g
- Saturated Fat 17.2199941099501 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving(s) (455g)
- Sodium 421.235615279187 mg
- Sugar 2.5205706728351 g
- Trans Fat 5.20711671129904 g
- Calories 873 calories
Step-by-step
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and saute the onions, celery, mushrooms and the parsley until tender but not browned.
- In a large mixing bowl, spoon the sauteed vegetables over the bread cubes and then add all the spices and herbs into the mix. Stir.
- Mix the beaten eggs with the chicken stock and add this to the mix a little at a time as you stir carefully. You may not need every bit of the stock-egg blend so be careful to not turn your dressing into soup. You should still be able to discern the bread cubes but they should be fairly wet.
- Transfer the mix into your crock pot (a large one is best) and cover.
- Cook on High for an hour and then reduce to the Low setting and allow it to cook for four to eight more hours until it reaches the consistency that you like.
- If you don't have the Paul Prudhomme seasoning you can use seasoned salt or, better yet, poultry seasoning.
My Crock-Pot Holiday Dressing: A Thanksgiving Miracle
Thanksgiving. The word itself conjures images of family gathered around a table laden with food, the aroma of roasted turkey filling the air. But for years, Thanksgiving also meant stress. The kitchen, a battlefield of overflowing counters and a perpetually full oven. Stuffing the turkey was a logistical nightmare, a precarious balancing act between perfectly browned skin and evenly cooked stuffing. I yearned for a simpler, less stressful way to enjoy this beloved holiday tradition.
Then, I stumbled upon a recipe – a faded newspaper clipping, tucked away in my grandmother's recipe box. It was for crock-pot dressing, a revelation! The idea was so simple, yet so brilliant. No more wrestling with a stuffed turkey, no more oven-space anxieties. I tweaked the original recipe just a bit, adding my own personal touch, and the result was pure magic. This crock-pot holiday dressing became my Thanksgiving savior, and I haven't looked back since.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. The ingredients are readily available, and the process is remarkably straightforward. Sautéing the vegetables adds a depth of flavor, while the slow cooking in the crock-pot ensures that the bread is perfectly moist and flavorful, without being soggy. The result is a dressing that’s light, fluffy, and bursting with the taste of the holidays. And the best part? The entire thing is made ahead of time, freeing up valuable oven space and reducing stress during that frantic pre-Thanksgiving cooking rush.
I've shared this recipe with countless friends and family members over the years, and the response has always been overwhelmingly positive. It’s a recipe that’s easily customizable, too. Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile. Add some cranberries for a touch of tartness, or some sausage for a heartier dish. The possibilities are endless!
But beyond the deliciousness, this recipe represents something more. It represents a legacy, a connection to my grandmother and her culinary traditions. It's a testament to the power of simple recipes to create lasting memories and bring people together. Every Thanksgiving, as the aroma of this crock-pot dressing fills my home, I'm reminded of the simple joys of family, tradition, and of course, delicious food. So, this year, give your oven a break and embrace the magic of crock-pot holiday dressing. Your taste buds (and your sanity) will thank you for it.
Beyond the Recipe: This dressing recipe isn't just about the ease of preparation; it's a symbol of efficiency and resourcefulness in the kitchen. For busy professionals, it's a lifesaver, allowing you to prepare a delicious side dish without sacrificing precious time. For families with young children, it's a welcome alternative to the potentially hazardous task of stuffing a turkey. For anyone who simply wants a delicious and hassle-free Thanksgiving, this crock-pot dressing is the perfect solution.
The recipe’s adaptability also makes it a perfect choice for those who like to experiment with flavors. Feel free to substitute different types of bread, add nuts or other vegetables, or adjust the seasoning to your personal preference. The key is to have fun with it! The beauty of cooking lies in the freedom to create something unique and delicious, something that reflects your own personal style and taste. So go ahead, explore your creativity in the kitchen and make this crock-pot holiday dressing your own!
This Thanksgiving, let's celebrate not just the abundance of food on our tables, but also the abundance of time and energy we’ve saved thanks to this simple, yet incredibly effective recipe. So gather your family, friends, and loved ones, and let the delightful aroma of crock-pot holiday dressing fill your home with the warmth and comfort of the season. Happy Thanksgiving!
