Cornbread Oyster Stuffing

(John Nation)

"It's kind of a New England meets the South stuffing recipe," says Chef of Louisville, Ky.'s 610 Magnolia. "The sweetness from the cornbread and the umami from the baked oysters are a real perfect pairing for me."

Cook Time:1 hours15 min

Prep Time:25 min

Total Time:1 hours40 min

Servings: 15

Ingredients:

3/4 cup melted unsalted butter

2 pound cornbread

5 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 cup chopped onions

1 1/2 cup chopped celery

2 Cloves garlic finely minced

6 ounce finely diced country ham, the saltier the better

2 tablespoon fresh sage

2 teaspoon fresh thyme

1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

About 18 - 20 fresh shucked oysters, rough chopped

Liquid from the oysters

1 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup milk

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

A few more teaspoons of butter

15 roasted chestnuts, peeled and rough chopped

Preparation:

Heat oven to 400°F. Cube the cornbread into 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the melted butter with the cornbread and lay out flat on a baking sheet, crumbs and all. Bake in the oven, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until a nice toasty color forms on the cornbread.

Meanwhile, melt the 5 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Sauté the onions, celery and garlic until the vegetables are translucent, about 6 minutes.

Transfer the cooked vegetables into a large bowl and toss gently with the toasted cornbread. Add the diced country ham, fresh chopped sage, thyme, salt pepper and nutmeg. Add the oysters with its liquor and mix with a rubber spatula.

Warm the chicken broth and the milk together in a small pot just until simmering. Add to the stuffing mixture.

Beat the eggs lightly and fold into the stuffing mixture.

Lightly butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Transfer the stuffing into the baking dish, dot with a few teaspoons of butter and sprinkle with the chopped up roasted chestnuts.

Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. Bake in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes, keeping it covered with foil for the first half of the baking time. Serve hot out of the oven.