CREOLE TOMATO GRITS AND SAUSAGE DRESSING

Prep Time: 2 Hours
Yields: 8–10 Servings

Comment:
I’m amazed at the number of stuffings and dressings that emerge from the minds of the creative Cajun and Creole cooks. Imaging my excitement when discovering the quality of this new stuffing recipe when I accidentally combined the leftovers of two previous dishes. It has become one of my favorite holiday side dishes.

Ingredients for Grits Croutons:
2 cups yellow stone-ground grits
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel® tomatoes
3 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth
¼ pound butter, divided
½ cup chopped bacon
¼ cup minced garlic
2 tbsps canned chopped green chiles
salt and black pepper to taste

Ingredients for Dressing:
1 pound ground hot pork sausage
1 cup minced onions
½ cup minced celery
2 tbsps minced garlic
2 large eggs, beaten
¾ cup heavy whipping cream
½ cup grated Cheddar cheese
½ cup sliced green onions
½ cup chopped parsley
¾ cup additional grated Cheddar cheese (optional)

Method:
Heat chicken broth in saucepot to low simmer, do not boil. Set aside. In a heavy-bottomed 1-gallon pot, melt half of butter over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until fat is rendered and bacon is slightly crisp but not over brown. Add Rotel® tomatoes, garlic and green chiles. Cook until tomatoes have rendered their juices well into the pot, 3–5 minutes. Add stone-ground grits, stirring well into the mixture. Add ¾ of the chicken broth, stirring well into grits. Grits will absorb the liquid quickly so add the remainder as needed to prevent from scorching. Additional stock or water may be necessary during the cooking process. Season grits to taste using salt and black pepper. Continue to stir occasionally, 15–20 minutes or until grits are creamy and tender. Pour grits into a greased 9” x 13” baking dish. Cover with clear wrap and place in the refrigerator until chilled and firm, preferably overnight. When ready to prepare the dressing, preheat oven to 450°F. Turn the cold grits onto a cutting board and cut into ¾-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer onto a baking pan and cook until crisp and browned, 12–15 minutes. While grits are cooking, place remaining butter into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery and garlic then sauté 3–5 minutes or until vegetables are welted. Add ground pork sausage and cook over medium-high heat until well browned and fat is rendered. Place grits croutons into a large mixing bowl. Remove sausage mixture from pan, drain excess fat and pour over grits croutons into the mixing bowl. Gently toss croutons and sausage mixture until blended. Add beaten eggs, whipping cream, cheese, green onions and parsley, continue to blend well then spoon mixture into an 11” x 7” baking dish. Top with additional cheese if desired. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake, uncovered, 30–40 minutes or until browned. Serve as a side dish to any meat, fish or fowl dish.