Cajun Cornbread Stuffing

Ingredients

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups stone ground cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons white sugar
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground white pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• 1 cup chopped parsley
• 2 cups chopped red bell pepper
• 2 green chile peppers, chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 cups evaporated milk
• 7 eggs, beaten

Directions

1. To Make Cornbread: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter a 13x9 inch pan.
2. Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and sugar, and mix well.
3. Combine the 5 eggs, 6 tablespoons melted butter, and buttermilk. Add wet to dry while mixing on low with a mixer. Mix just until no dry ingredients remain. Pour into prepared pan.
4. Bake until top is browned and a toothpick comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
5. To Make Stuffing: In a small bowl combine the 2 tablespoons salt with the white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme, basil, and bay leaves.
6. In another bowl combine the minced onions, green onions, parsley, red or green peppers, chili peppers, and garlic.
7. Melt 1 cup butter in a large fry pan. Add the spices and cook for a few minutes. Add the vegetables and cook about 5 minutes. Do not allow the vegetables to brown. Add the stock and Tabasco. Stir and cook 5 minutes more. Crumble the cornbread into the skillet and mix. Add the evaporated milk and 7 eggs OFF THE HEAT. Make sure to stir well when adding the eggs. Return to low heat and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Remove the bay leaves. Place stuffing in a bowl and cover. Cool before stuffing turkey.