Eggplant Cups With Cornbread Stuffing Recipes

FRAN'S EGGPLANT CORNBREAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Grease a 2 quart casserole dish and set aside.
• Microwave eggplant until soft. Perhaps 6 minutes. When done, mash to a pulp.
• Fry the onion in a little butter until soft and translucent.
• Crumble the cornbread into coarse crumbs.
• Combine eggplant, onion, butter and cornbread.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients and pour into a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until the casserole is "set:" in the middle. ("Set" means a knife inserted in the middle of the casserole comes out clean, but not so well done that the casserole is dry.).
• This is a very forgiving recipe. Instead of measuring out 2 cups of cornbread crumbs, I usually just crumble up an 8x8 pan of fresh cornbread. You want the mixture to be wet enough to wet all the cornbread crumbs, but not so wet that it won't "set up." If it seems a little dry before baking, add just a little chicken broth or water.
• I have also used yellow squash or zucchini in place of the eggplant. The prep time can be reduced by using frozen onions in place of fresh. Also, I am just really slow at prep!

CORN BREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine chicken stock, butter, seasoning blend, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
• Stir in stuffing mix and cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork. Serve hot.

DELUXE CORNBREAD STUFFING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the bread, pecans and seasonings; set aside. Crumble sausage into a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; cook over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles. Remove with slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. , Add butter to drippings; saute the apples, celery and onion until tender. Add to bread mixture; stir in sausage and enough broth to moisten. , Spoon mixture into cast-iron skillet; cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake just until set, about 10 minutes.