Mexican Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

Ingredients

• 12 cups cornbread, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
• 8 ounces chorizo sausage, Mexican-style firm with casings removed
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 medium red onion, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup carrot, minced
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, rough chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, rough chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, rough chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage leaf, rough chopped
• 1/2 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
• salt & fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Up to 3 days ahead, bake two 8-inch square pans of your favorite recipe or a boxed mix (you will have a little left over); store airtight at room temperature.

2. 2

   When ready to make the stuffing, in a large frying pan over medium heat, stir chorizo until crumbly and browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

3. 3

   Return pan to medium-high heat and add butter. When melted, add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Stir until vegetables are lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Add cilantro, thyme, oregano, and sage; stir for about 1 minute. Add chorizo and 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir just until boiling. Remove from heat.

5. 5

   In a large bowl, combine cornbread cubes and vegetable-chorizo mixture.

6. 6

   Stir until evenly moistened, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. If mixture is too dry for your liking, moisten with additional chicken broth.

7. 7

   Spoon into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Cover and bake in a 450° oven for 10 minutes; uncover and continue to bake until top is browned and dressing is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes longer.

8. 8

   Serve hot.