2011, Recipe 113: Sausage Brioche Dressing

Recipe courtesy of Claire Robinson

• 1 brioche loaf, cubed into 1-inch pieces
• 1 pound pork breakfast sausage (no casings)
• 4 celery ribs, halved lengthwise and cross cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 4 cups stock
• 1/4 cup chopped sage leaves
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Spread the brioche on a baking sheet and put it in the oven until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes. Set aside in a large bowl.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the sausage and break it into pieces with a spoon. Cook until browned, then transfer it to the bowl with the brioche. Add the celery to the sausage drippings and cook until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Put the sausage into the brioche bowl. Stir in the stock and sage and mix until the brioche absorbs most of the liquid. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the dressing to a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and cook, uncovered for 20 minutes. Cover with foil and bake until golden brown on top, another 20 to 25 minutes.

Results:  I made this for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING!! Use brioche!! It's egg-y and fattening and delicious!!! Simple but amazing!! Did I say it was amazing?? It was amazing!! The next morning, it inspired me to create my new favorite post-holiday breakfast: dressing with a fried egg. I'm drooling right now!!