Recipes

Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Grilled Broccoli Rabe

A harmonious blend of holiday staples and refined flavors, this Cornbread Dressing redefines the art of holiday indulgence. Home-baked cornbread, enriched with buttermilk and a hint of heat, serves as the foundation for a sumptuous medley of sweet Italian sausage, charred broccoli rabe, and aromatics. Grilled to perfection, the broccoli rabe lends a subtle bitterness that balances the savory richness of the dish. Finished with a golden crust in the Artisan Fire Pizza Oven, this elevated side dish is a celebration of textures and flavors, embodying the sophistication of live-fire cooking with every bite.

Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Grilled Broccoli Rabe
By Stephanie Banyas
Ingredients
Directions

Cornbread Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups coarsely ground cornmeal
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • A few dashes hot sauce

Dressing Ingredients

  • 8 ounces broccoli rabe
  • 8 ounces sweet Italian sausage
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 large stalks celery, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 3 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 cups homemade turkey or chicken stock, or low-sodium broth, divided
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems, divided
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Staled cornbread from above

Prepare the cornbread. Preheat your Artisan Fire Pizza Oven or Hybrid Fire Grill to 375°F and place a 9-inch cast iron pan in the oven to warm.

Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs with the milk and hot sauce. Mix until smooth.  Then, stir in the dry mixture and butter until combined. 

Coat the bottom and sides of the hot skillet with the remaining butter. Pour the batter into the skillet and place it in the center of the pizza oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the center is firm and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remember to turn the skillet several times for even baking. Allow the cornbread to cool in the pan and transfer to baking rack. We recommend making this at least 1 day in advance so it has time to stale for the perfect texture. 

Cook the broccoli rabe. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the broccoli rabe. Cook for 3 minutes until the stems are tender and leaves are bright green. Drain and run cold water over over the rabe. Drain again and transfer to a sheet pan lined with paper towels. 

Heat your Hybrid Fire Grill to 500°F. Drizzle the rabe with oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill 1 minute per side until charred. Remove the rabe from the grill and coarsely chop. 

Cook the sausage. Brush the sausage with oil and grill for about 8 minutes until golden brown and slightly charred on all sides. Remove and let cool, then dice into small chunks.

Prepare the dressing. Preheat the Artisan Fire Pizza Oven or Hybrid Fire Grill to 350°F. 

Combine the butter and oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until the butter is melted. Stir in the onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the stock, bring to a simmer, and season well with salt and pepper.  

Remove the mixture and let it cool slightly. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs together until smooth then whisk in 1 cup of the cold stock. Fold the crumbled cornbread, diced sausage, greens and parsley into the broth and continue mixing until combined. Add the remaining stock 1 cup at a time until the mixture is very moist. 

Butter 9x13 casserole dish or 12-inch cast iron skillet and add the dressing. Bake in the pizza oven for 15 minutes until golden brown, turning several times for even cooking. Or, bake indirectly on the grill for 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!