Great memories Madonna! Mine are very similar. So classic. A few years ago when we went gluten-free, I realized I could no longer enjoy tradition, so I developed my cornbread dressing recipe. That is now what we now use. But I still smile as you do, at the great memories of cooking with my mom at the holidays. What a treasured time that was. Realizing she would not live forever, I followed her around the kitchen one year, notebook in hand, measuring everything and capturing her recipe. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks Sally. I had not intended to post until I got better pictures, but I was afraid it wouldn’t happen. I have to say blogging has made me nostalgic. I love the cornbread stuffing with a pork roast.
What wonderful memories. It made me want to be at your house for Thanksgiving. I’m a southerner so our dressing was always cornbread based. Funny, as great a cook as my mother was and she always made either cornbread or rolls for dinner each night, she didn’t make Thanksgiving dressing. Our dressing always came from her best friend’s cook. As I look back now, maybe it was easier and one less thing to worry about. I want to try yours. It looks very comforting and thanks for the tip of beating the eggs until frothy.
Sam
I hope you will give it a try, but please have your dressing/stuffing for Thanksgiving. One thing I have learned is people get cranky when they are expecting “their” tradition and you try to sneak in a new dish. 🙂
Those smells at Thanksgiving do bring back great memories, don’t they, Madonna? For me, it’s always simple cornbread dressing…my MIL’s old family recipe…and so good that I have a second helping for dessert! lol Have a great week!…hugs…Debbie
Good morning, Madonna!
I love reading your trips down memory lane. I can just picture little you helping with the dishes! How clever of your Mom to tell you that you were the best at it.
In my family, we’ve always called it stuffing, if it was in the bird or not. Like you, it’s classic white and basically the same ingredients, but not the fresh herbs, although I like that idea! Thanks for sharing your recipe via Cuisine at Home (they have some great recipes, don’t they?).
Ha Kitty, I was talking to my sister and she caught on sooner than I did. I just started using fresh herbs in the last few years, before that it was poultry seasoning. I have made quiet a few recipes from C@H, and have been pretty happy with the results.
Sounds like everyone has a version. I would love to try raisins, but we have to keep it pure for Thanksgiving. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Cathleen. I love to hear what others are doing.
Hi Madonna, My Mother’s dressing was almost exactly like yours and I too struggled to duplicate it for many years. Then Cook’s Illustrated published a recipe for Oven-Baked Holiday Stuffing which was the one! Mom used poultry seasoning too, instead of sage. When I serve it to the nieces and nephews they thank me for bringing Grandma’s dressing back to the table. It makes me very happy.
I will have to check out CI’s version. Where I lived there would be no fresh herbs in November, but I like it with poultry seasoning too. Love that you brought back grands stuffing.
This sounds so good to me! My husband and son are gonna wonder where the meat is because my classic dressing has sausage in it. Wonder how it would be if I added sausage? Pinned!
Here in South Carolina we have dressing made with cornbread and oysters. My husband’s aunt makes a white bread stuffing form Pennsylvania that uses saffron as the main spice. Thank you for sharing the recipe with Make It Monday.
Donna, I have heard of oysters in the dressing, but have not tried it. I have never heard of saffron in stuffing or dressing, probably because saffron is so expensive.
I loved your story of memories Madonna, and yes, the classics we grew up with or our family’s traditional recipes are what make Thanksgiving. This dressing is similar to the one my mother made, except she used Pepperidge Farm original, which is already seasoned. I have never heard the term “classic white dressing,” and I am so glad you finally found the recipe!
Thank you Jenna. I had not heard of Classic White Dressing either. Had I known its name I would have found it sooner. Well, maybe not… If you ask for dressing where I live now they would bring you vinegar and oil. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Jenna, I love hearing from you.
I recently learned a lesson – and I’m old! I was visiting a sister-in-law that was bemoaning washing dishes – that moment stuck with me. When I went home and was doing dishes it came back to me as I had my hands in the warm soapy water – it is a sensual experience when you think about it and quite pleasurable – and it connects me with all the women in my family (and all women) when I do dishes – connection and comfort. So now I enjoy washing the dishes!
Thank you for stopping by Silly Girl. I am so happy that someone got it. It is not so much the chore it used to be since I only now have a few dishes, but there is something about the comfort of the warm water and home. Nowadays before I start cooking a run a sink of hot soapy water and try to clean as I go… Most times 🙂
I remember the torn bread waiting in the big blue enameled roaster! My mom did the same thing. And make a classic white bread stuffing (although different from yours). My sister and I both make the same recipe, but ours are completely different. She follows my mom’s recipe to the letter. I’ve changed it, although just a bit (biggest change is whole wheat bread — its flavor stands up to the spicing better, IMO). Anyway, this looks great — thanks.
I think everyone had a big blue enameled roaster. Now that I have the ratio I may change it up with a little whole wheat, but I was happy to find the recipe. Thanks for stopping by John.
What terrific memories. My mom always poured a bottle of sherry over the bird when she first put it in the oven, and to this day both my sister and I do the same thing. When I come into the ktichen (or enter my sister’s house) and sm,ell the roasting bird and the sherry I am transported back to my childhood home. My mom always used a wild rice stuffing for her bird, and yes, I still do the same thing. Tradition. I am so glad you found the recipe. You must have been thrilled to see it. I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.
It was dressing at our home growing up and was always baked in a casserole dish. It was made with a combination of dried white bread and cornbread. I know I would like your version.
Your reminiscing about your family’s lovely traditions made me remember my own. Both stories include our parents in the kitchen sharing the cooking for the big feast. My mom makes the tastiest stuffing I’ve ever had in my life and so I have continued the tradition here in Greece, and it brings back wonderful memories every year. Although my stuffing consists of a handful each of ground beef and rice, then onions, celery, raisins, apples, bread cubes, sage, broth, turkey seasoning, and chestnuts, your white dressing sounds equally delicious!
Looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Madonna, this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/11/make-it-pretty-monday-week-121.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the party. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Sally says
Great memories Madonna! Mine are very similar. So classic. A few years ago when we went gluten-free, I realized I could no longer enjoy tradition, so I developed my cornbread dressing recipe. That is now what we now use. But I still smile as you do, at the great memories of cooking with my mom at the holidays. What a treasured time that was. Realizing she would not live forever, I followed her around the kitchen one year, notebook in hand, measuring everything and capturing her recipe. Thanks for the memories!
Ms. Lemon says
Thanks Sally. I had not intended to post until I got better pictures, but I was afraid it wouldn’t happen. I have to say blogging has made me nostalgic. I love the cornbread stuffing with a pork roast.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
What wonderful memories. It made me want to be at your house for Thanksgiving. I’m a southerner so our dressing was always cornbread based. Funny, as great a cook as my mother was and she always made either cornbread or rolls for dinner each night, she didn’t make Thanksgiving dressing. Our dressing always came from her best friend’s cook. As I look back now, maybe it was easier and one less thing to worry about. I want to try yours. It looks very comforting and thanks for the tip of beating the eggs until frothy.
Sam
Ms. Lemon says
I hope you will give it a try, but please have your dressing/stuffing for Thanksgiving. One thing I have learned is people get cranky when they are expecting “their” tradition and you try to sneak in a new dish. 🙂
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
Those smells at Thanksgiving do bring back great memories, don’t they, Madonna? For me, it’s always simple cornbread dressing…my MIL’s old family recipe…and so good that I have a second helping for dessert! lol Have a great week!…hugs…Debbie
Ms. Lemon says
Glad you have a favorite. I like both, just at different times. Thanks for stopping by Debbie.
Kitty says
Good morning, Madonna!
I love reading your trips down memory lane. I can just picture little you helping with the dishes! How clever of your Mom to tell you that you were the best at it.
In my family, we’ve always called it stuffing, if it was in the bird or not. Like you, it’s classic white and basically the same ingredients, but not the fresh herbs, although I like that idea! Thanks for sharing your recipe via Cuisine at Home (they have some great recipes, don’t they?).
Ms. Lemon says
Ha Kitty, I was talking to my sister and she caught on sooner than I did. I just started using fresh herbs in the last few years, before that it was poultry seasoning. I have made quiet a few recipes from C@H, and have been pretty happy with the results.
Cathleen Camann says
That’s the same dressing my mom always made. The only difference is that she also put raisins in it!
Ms. Lemon says
Sounds like everyone has a version. I would love to try raisins, but we have to keep it pure for Thanksgiving. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Cathleen. I love to hear what others are doing.
Penny says
Hi Madonna, My Mother’s dressing was almost exactly like yours and I too struggled to duplicate it for many years. Then Cook’s Illustrated published a recipe for Oven-Baked Holiday Stuffing which was the one! Mom used poultry seasoning too, instead of sage. When I serve it to the nieces and nephews they thank me for bringing Grandma’s dressing back to the table. It makes me very happy.
Ms. Lemon says
I will have to check out CI’s version. Where I lived there would be no fresh herbs in November, but I like it with poultry seasoning too. Love that you brought back grands stuffing.
AnnMarie says
This sounds so good to me! My husband and son are gonna wonder where the meat is because my classic dressing has sausage in it. Wonder how it would be if I added sausage? Pinned!
Ms. Lemon says
Actually, there is shredded chicken in the dressing, but the recipe does not call for it. If you want sausage, you are the boss of your food. 🙂
Donna Wilkes says
Here in South Carolina we have dressing made with cornbread and oysters. My husband’s aunt makes a white bread stuffing form Pennsylvania that uses saffron as the main spice. Thank you for sharing the recipe with Make It Monday.
Ms. Lemon says
Donna, I have heard of oysters in the dressing, but have not tried it. I have never heard of saffron in stuffing or dressing, probably because saffron is so expensive.
Jenna says
I loved your story of memories Madonna, and yes, the classics we grew up with or our family’s traditional recipes are what make Thanksgiving. This dressing is similar to the one my mother made, except she used Pepperidge Farm original, which is already seasoned. I have never heard the term “classic white dressing,” and I am so glad you finally found the recipe!
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you Jenna. I had not heard of Classic White Dressing either. Had I known its name I would have found it sooner. Well, maybe not… If you ask for dressing where I live now they would bring you vinegar and oil. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Jenna, I love hearing from you.
M.
sillygirl says
I recently learned a lesson – and I’m old! I was visiting a sister-in-law that was bemoaning washing dishes – that moment stuck with me. When I went home and was doing dishes it came back to me as I had my hands in the warm soapy water – it is a sensual experience when you think about it and quite pleasurable – and it connects me with all the women in my family (and all women) when I do dishes – connection and comfort. So now I enjoy washing the dishes!
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you for stopping by Silly Girl. I am so happy that someone got it. It is not so much the chore it used to be since I only now have a few dishes, but there is something about the comfort of the warm water and home. Nowadays before I start cooking a run a sink of hot soapy water and try to clean as I go… Most times 🙂
John@Kitchen Riffs says
I remember the torn bread waiting in the big blue enameled roaster! My mom did the same thing. And make a classic white bread stuffing (although different from yours). My sister and I both make the same recipe, but ours are completely different. She follows my mom’s recipe to the letter. I’ve changed it, although just a bit (biggest change is whole wheat bread — its flavor stands up to the spicing better, IMO). Anyway, this looks great — thanks.
Ms. Lemon says
I think everyone had a big blue enameled roaster. Now that I have the ratio I may change it up with a little whole wheat, but I was happy to find the recipe. Thanks for stopping by John.
Adri says
What terrific memories. My mom always poured a bottle of sherry over the bird when she first put it in the oven, and to this day both my sister and I do the same thing. When I come into the ktichen (or enter my sister’s house) and sm,ell the roasting bird and the sherry I am transported back to my childhood home. My mom always used a wild rice stuffing for her bird, and yes, I still do the same thing. Tradition. I am so glad you found the recipe. You must have been thrilled to see it. I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Ms. Lemon says
A bottle of sherry sounds like a great idea. I am saving the idea when I have time to experiment. Do you have details?
Daniela says
These are precious memories.
The classic white dressing looks so tempting and the setting is beautiful.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving , Madonna!
Ms. Lemon says
Thank you so much Daniela. Happy Holidays to you too.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
It was dressing at our home growing up and was always baked in a casserole dish. It was made with a combination of dried white bread and cornbread. I know I would like your version.
Ms. Lemon says
I like the cornbread version, it is just not what we had. I like most any kind and almost any time of year.
Poppy says
Your reminiscing about your family’s lovely traditions made me remember my own. Both stories include our parents in the kitchen sharing the cooking for the big feast. My mom makes the tastiest stuffing I’ve ever had in my life and so I have continued the tradition here in Greece, and it brings back wonderful memories every year. Although my stuffing consists of a handful each of ground beef and rice, then onions, celery, raisins, apples, bread cubes, sage, broth, turkey seasoning, and chestnuts, your white dressing sounds equally delicious!
Happy Thanksgiving, Madonna!
Poppy
Ms. Lemon says
I have not had your version Poppy, but it sounds flavorful.
Stephanie says
Looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
Madonna, this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/11/make-it-pretty-monday-week-121.html Hope to see your prettiness again at the party. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse