Chorizo Corn Bread Stuffing

• Recipe by Jose Garces

Bits of chorizo add chewiness and spice to Jose Garces’s moist corn bread stuffing. You can use a store-bought corn bread to simplify the recipe (you’ll need three pounds), but opt for one that’s not too sweet.

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Ingredients

CORN BREAD

1. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2. 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
3. 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar
4. 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
5. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6. 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
7. 1 1/2 cups whole milk
8. 3 eggs, lightly beaten
9. 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

STUFFING

1. 1/2 pound Spanish chorizo, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3. 2 onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice
4. 2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch dice
5. 1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
6. 3 large garlic cloves, minced
7. 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
8. 1 tablespoon chopped sage
9. 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
10. 2 cups chicken stock
11. 2 large eggs, beaten
12. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
13. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. Make the Corn Bread: Preheat the oven to 425°. Warm a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over moderate heat. Add the vegetable oil and heat.
2. Meanwhile, in a bowl, sift the flour with the sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the cornmeal. Add the milk and eggs and stir lightly. Add the melted butter and stir just until blended.
3. Scrape the batter into the hot skillet; the oil should sizzle. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the corn bread for about 25 minutes, or until the center springs back when gently pressed. Turn the corn bread out onto a rack to cool. (This will yield 3 pounds of corn bread.)
4. Meanwhile, Prepare the Stuffing: Reduce the oven temperature to 375°. In a large saucepan, cook the chorizo over moderate heat until the edges are crisp, about 6 minutes. Add the butter and let it melt. Add the onions, celery and carrot and cook until the onions are translucent, about 12 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, sage and rosemary and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer the chorizo mixture to a large bowl.
5. Cut the corn bread into 1-inch pieces. Spread it on a rimmed baking dish and toast for about 20 minutes, stirring once, until golden in spots. Add the corn bread to the chorizo. Add the chicken stock, eggs, salt and pepper and toss gently until evenly coated. Transfer the stuffing to a 10-by-14-inch baking dish. Bake in the top third of the oven for about 40 minutes, until golden on top. Serve warm.

Make Ahead

The baked stuffing can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before reheating.