Instructions
This recipe is adapted from a published recipe. My friend Dane Twining gave me the original recipe from where he got it I don't know.
- 8 cups cubed french bread (you can switch up the amounts of bread to corn bread, you'll need about 12 cups)
- 4 cups cubed corn bread
- 6 slices bacon - diced
- 6 T unsalted butter melted plus more for greasing the pan (or use cooking spray)
- 6 shallots thinly sliced
- 4 ribs celery thinly sliced
- 1 pt oysters liquor reserved
- 1 link sausage out of casing (can use chorizo or Italian - I like Italian)
- 1/2 lb baby bella mushrooms (or used mixed wild for great flavor)
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 2 - 3 cups chicken stock (homemade is best but at least organic)
- 1/4 cup madeira or sherry
- 1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 T chopped thyme
- 2 T chopped sage
- 1/2 t tabasco
- 1/4 t grated nutmeg
- 1/8 t ground cloves
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 250 and bake bread cubes stirring occasionally until dried but not brown (about 15 min). Let cool
Put bacon into a 12" or bigger skillet, cook over med/hi heat stirring frequently until crisp (about 10 minute). Before the bacon is fully cooked, add sausage breaking up into chunks. Add 4 T butter when melted add shallots, celery and mushrooms. Cook until vegetables are soft (10 min). Add oyster liquor, 1 cup of stock, madeira, herbs, tabasco, spices. Bring to boil and cook for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Roughly chop oysters. Scrape mixture into large bowl and stir in bread, eggs and oysters. Let sit for 10-15 minutes for flavors to merge.
Raise oven temp to 400. Transfer mixture to buttered 2 qt baking dish, pour 1 - 1/2 cups of chicken stock over, cover with foil - don't be scared if it looks like too much liquid. Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil drizzle with remaining butter and continue baking until golden and crusty (about 15 min). Serve immediately.