Thanksgiving Recipes

My mother did not have a stuffing, or dressing, recipe.   She just made it, without written directions.   After she passed away, I wanted to find a recipe that tasted like hers.   This one not only tastes like hers, but it has the added benefit of freeing up space in the oven on Thanksgiving day.   Use a disposable liner in your slow-cooker and clean-up is easy.

SLOW-COOKER CORNBREAD DRESSING
from Southern Living, November 2005

4 1/2 cups cornbread crumbs
1 (16 oz.) pkg. herb stuffing mix
2 (10 3/4 oz.) cans cream of chicken soup
2 (14 oz.) cans low-sodium chicken broth
1 med. onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
4 eggs
1 Tbsp. rubbed sage
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. butter, cut up

Stir together cornbread crumbs, stuffing mix, and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl.

Pour cornbread mixture into a lightly greased 5 1/2 - 6 quart slow cooker.   Dot with butter.   Cook, covered, on LOW 4 hours or until cooked through and set.

This recipe is great for small families or it can be used after the holidays if you traveled and couldn't bring back left-overs.   It's a holiday meal in a crock-pot.

SLOW COOKER TURKEY AND DRESSING
from Christmas with Southern Living 2002

1 (8 oz.) pkg. herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1 onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup chicken broth
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 (3 lb.) frozen boneless turkey breast, thawed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
 1 (.88 oz.) pkg. turkey gravy mix

Coat inside of a 4 quart slow cooker with cooking spray.   Add stuffing mix, onion, celery, and cranberries.   Combine broth and melted butter.   Pour over stuffing and stir gently.

Remove string from turkey breast.   Rinse turkey breast.   Place turkey in slow cooker on top of stuffing.   Combine salt, pepper, and thyme;  sprinkle over turkey.   Cover and cook on HIGH 1 hour.   Reduce to LOW and cook 5 to 6 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted in turkey registers 170 degrees.

Remove turkey to a serving platter.   Stir stuffing gently in slow cooker; cover and let stand 3 to 4 min.   Prepare gravy.   Spoon stuffing around turkey on platter.