November hits and the family starts talking about Thanksgiving. It's the hottest topic at the November family functions. All the aunts start arguing (I mean talking) about who’s hosting, who’s bringing what and what’s going to be in the recipe.
I can hear them now, “Nanccccy, are you going to bring the ham?”
“Winnie, are you making that stuffin’ that tastes like oranges?" (Pronounced AWWWRENGEZ, of course.)
I feel so lucky that my mom, Winnie, is the one who makes the stuffing. She makes it ahead of time and the house just smells so delicious. We are not allowed to eat it before the big turkey day. But who you kiddin’? We are all elbow deep in that deliciousness when she’s not looking. Thus the reason she always doubles the recipe!
Grand Marnier Stuffing
Ingredients
- 2 cups Grand Marnier
- 1 large orange
- 1 cup butter
- 1.5 lb ground pork sausage
- 2 lb herb stuffing mix (or save your sliced bread and freeze it!)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups celery finely chopped
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- salt & freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1. Place the orange and 1 cup of the Grand Marnier in a small saucepan. Heat to boiling. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and saute for 10 minutes. Add the sausage, and break it up as it cooks. Cook the onion, celery, and sausage until the sausage is browned.
4. Add the stuffing mix to the orange with the liquid. Stir to combine.
5. Heat the remaining 1/2 cup butter and chicken stock just until the butter melts. Pour over the stuffing mixture and add the remaining 1 cup of Grand Marnier. Stir well to moisten the stuffing, adding the thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Bake stuffing in a large buttered casserole at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
7. Use the stuffing to stuff your turkey. You should have enough left over for a small side dish.
Don't tell my mom we were elbow deep! Hope you enjoy this yummy Thanksgiving dish as much as our family does!
