Cornbread Cranberry Dressing (Gluten-Free)

As I began to contemplate my holiday menu, I thought about my many friends who have adopted a gluten-free lifestyle. I wondered what they would do instead of a traditional dressing made with bread. In their honor, here is my savory solution – a gluten-free cornbread dressing made with lots of aromatic vegetables and sweet dried cranberries. Everyone will eat well, and your gluten-free family members and guests will be both happy and relieved that they can enjoy.

Traditional bread-based dressing is a wonderful side dish for turkey, ham, and roast pork or beef. But if you have discovered that you must follow, or feel better, on a gluten-free diet, that tradition doesn’t work. Gluten-free cornbread dressing is a terrific solution. Filled with lots of aromatic vegetables, herbs and sweet dried cranberries to accompany the dried cornbread cubes, this dressing has great flavor and texture. Start with homemade gluten-free cornbread.

Last week I posted the recipe for my gluten-free cornbread. This is the basis for the dressing. You can make it up to two days ahead. After baking and cooling, cut the cornbread into small cubes and allow the cubes to dry for about 24 hours uncovered. Then place in an airtight container until ready to make the dressing.

To save time, you can even prep your vegetables a day ahead. Chop and mix together the leek, celery, fennel, onion and keep refrigerated until you want to prepare the dressing recipe. I make my dressing barely moist. If you prefer a wet or very moist dressing, increase your liquid a bit. I use milk. You can use almond milk or broth (vegetable, chicken, or turkey).

The day of your dinner, complete the dressing recipe and bake for a total of about 50-60 minutes. If you like a browned crisp top, take the foil off the last few minutes. Keep warm until serving time. Leftovers are good the next day and even work for breakfast with scrambled eggs.

Notes – Before you make this recipe, read my post and the recipe for gluten-free cornbread.

Cornbread Cranberry Dressing (Gluten-Free)

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Loaded with aromatic vegetables, herbs and sweet dried cranberries, this gluten-free cornbread dressing is great with roast turkey, chicken, ham or beef. Start a day or two ahead to make your gluten-free cornbread, then finish the dressing the day of your dinner. To save time, prep the vegetables ahead as well and refrigerate until needed. This dressing will work for lacto-ovo vegetarians but not for vegans.

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of gluten-free cornbread (or regular cornbread)
• 1 medium leek
• 1/2 medium onion
• 2 large celery ribs
• 1 small fennel bulb
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil)
• 2 large cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup or 2 ounces (60 grams) dried cranberries (or more if you prefer a wet dressing)
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
• 2 teaspoons fresh chopped thyme
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk (regular or alternative)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Start a day or two ahead by baking the gluten-free cornbread. When the cornbread has cooled completely, cut it into slices about 1/2″ wide, the cut it into small cubes. Place the cubes onto a rimmed baking sheet and allow the cornbread cubes to air dry, uncovered, for about 24 hours. Place dried cubes in an air tight container and set aside until you are ready to finish the dressing
2. Prep your vegetables.

• Leek: Trim the root end and dark top greens off the leek. Split the leek lengthwise in half, then each half again into a quarter. Cut into thin slices. Wash under cold running water to clean any sand or dirt.
• Onion: Chop into small dice
• Celery: cut the ribs in halves or quarters, depending on size, then crosswise into small pieces.
• Fennel: trim ribs off of the bulb and discard. Cut a thin slice off of the bottom root end. Cut the bulb in half, then each half into thin slices. Chop the slices into small pieces.

1. In a large saute pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the leek, onion, celery and fennel and cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 7-10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté another 1 minute. Add salt and pepper.
2. Add the dried cornbread cubes and mix in gently. Add the cranberries, parsley, thyme, and the beaten egg and milk. Mix gently.
3. Spoon dressing into a 2-3 quart casserole or gratin dish. Cover with foil. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes for a golden top.

Helpful Links

The pan I use is a 6 quart All Clad stainless steel saute pan. It’s a handy size for cooking larger quantities without crowding.

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