Oyster Dressing
Courtesy of my grandfather, Malcolm Martin
It just isn’t a holiday for me without this dressing; it’s briny and organy, and altogether delicious. My grandfather didn’t cook much, but every Thanksgiving and Christmas we’d find him at the stove ministering over a pot of this dressing for the family dinner. I got my love of music from him as well as perhaps the most touching present I ever received — his beautiful Yamaha acoustic guitar.
1 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
1 1/2 large onions, chopped
1/4 lb. ground pork
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 package gizzards and livers, ground
1 pint oysters, with liquor
cooked rice, amount equal to above cooked ingredients
pinch of thyme and sage
salt and pepper, to taste
Sauté celery, bell pepper, parsley, and onion in a small amount of oil. Once vegetables have softened, add ground pork with small amount of water to render the pork fat. When pork fat has rendered, add beef, gizzards, and liver. Cook 30-40 minutes.
Meanwhile, halve oysters and drain oyster liquor through sieve. Add oysters and liquor to pot and cook until edges of oysters frill. Add cooked rice to pot. Mix ingredients together while warming through. Add small amount of water to steam rice. Cook over medium-high heat for a few minutes. Turn off heat and let pot sit, covered, for 30-40 minutes. Add pinch of thyme and sage, plus salt and pepper to taste.
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