You’ll want this Louisiana-style specialty on your Thanksgiving menu
Welcome to the first edition of our new Six Rivers, Six Recipes series, featuring dishes inspired by the destinations you’ll explore aboard American Queen Voyages (AQV) elegant riverboat journeys. Until you’re on board, you can savor some of the signature flavors of America, thanks to our delicious partnership with the experts of America’s Test Kitchen and the selective palate of AQV Culinary Ambassador Regina Charboneau
Together, they have chosen six mouthwatering recipes – one for each of the waterways our itineraries explore. Kicking things off is a Louisiana-style cornbread, reminiscent of the flavors you’ll find on lower Mississippi River cruises.
From Regina
“This was the perfect recipe from America’s Test Kitchen for the Lower Mississippi. It can be used several different ways… It will perk up traditional turkey and dressing or could easily stuff a rolled turkey breast. It can be used to stuff quail, Cornish hens, or pork chops. The addition of Andouille showcases our commitment on voyages to using regionally favored ingredients.”
From ATK
For a bold Cajun take on our favorite Thanksgiving side, we looked to wed classic Louisiana flavors with a simple Southern-style cornbread dressing, which has a crisp buttery top and a moist, almost creamy interior. We began by making a simple cornbread using equal parts cornmeal and flour, a touch of sugar, melted butter, eggs, and milk. While the cornbread baked, we sautéed a mix of chopped onions, bell peppers, and celery along with smoky, spicy andouille sausage and bacon. After finishing the flavorful sauté with a tablespoon of Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning, we mixed it with our crumbled, warm cornbread and added just enough eggs and savory chicken broth to achieve a cohesive, set dressing. A final brush of melted butter before baking gave the dressing a rich, crisp, golden top.
Louisiana-Style Cornbread Dressing
SERVES 10 to 12
TIME 2 hours
Cornbread
1 ½ cups (7½ ounces) all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups (7½ ounces) cornmeal
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
1 ¾ cups whole milk
3 large eggs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Dressing
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 ounces andouille sausage, cut into ¼-inch pieces
2 onions, chopped
2 green bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
4 slices bacon, cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
¾ cup chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon pepper
- FOR THE CORNBREAD: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 13 x 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
- Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in large bowl. Whisk milk, eggs, and melted butter together in second bowl. Whisk milk mixture into flour mixture until just about combined. Transfer batter to prepared dish. Bake until cornbread is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
- FOR THE DRESSING: While the cornbread bakes, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add andouille, onions, bell peppers, celery, and bacon to skillet and cook until vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Add Creole seasoning and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer sausage mixture to large bowl.
- Turn out hot cornbread onto rimmed baking sheet and break into small pieces with two forks. (Cooled, crumbled cornbread can be transferred to zipper-lock bag and stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours.)
- Transfer crumbled cornbread to bowl with sausage mixture. Add broth, milk, eggs, parsley, and pepper and stir to combine. Transfer dressing to now-empty dish and spread into even layer (do not pack down). Using side of rubber spatula or wooden spoon, create ridges about ½ inch apart on top of dressing.
- Brush top of dressing with remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter. Bake until browned and crisped on top and heated through, about 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and serve.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: At end of step 5, let dressing cool completely (if using hot cornbread). cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or wrap in additional layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 1 month. To serve, thaw overnight in refrigerator if frozen. Proceed with step 6, extending baking time by 15 minutes and covering with foil for final 10 minutes of cooking if top begins to get too dark.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our tables aboard your next AQV river cruise. Until then, look for these recipes on our blog and on your own table. Bon appetít!
New Orleans