Mealy Pudding 101

What? You haven't heard of mealy pudding aka: Scotch dressing? You are so missing out! All the sons-in-law in my family would disagree - but the rest of our clan (including my dad) agree - it's not a real Thanksgiving dinner if there is no Scotch dressing present.

As a kid, I would load my plate with Scotch dressing first, cranberry sauce second, a roll & butter third, mashed potatoes & gravy 4th. No turkey needed. As an adult....I haven't changed. I still load my plate up the exact same way. Tradition! My next day sandwiches are the same: stuffing & cranberry sauce - no turkey.

Whenever one of us kids brought friends home for Thanksgiving, we would silently pray that they wouldn't even try the Scotch dressing. This way, they wouldn't waste it (by taking a heaping spoonful, taking one bite and not finishing the rest). Even now, I try to discourage others from sampling too much ("just take one small bite - you probably won't like it!"), or "We have Stovetop for people like you."

If you are brave enough to try a new recipe this Thanksgiving, give Scotch dressing a try. If you don't like it, I will gladly take ALL your leftovers and make myself stuffing & cranberry sauce sandwiches for lunch.

Scotch Dressing
(for a 20 lb bird)
8 cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal (no quick oats!)
1 T. salt
Pepper & Sage to taste (this equals LOTS) I use a T. of Pepper & a lot more of the sage. I gauge it on the smell. When it smells 'sagey' enough, I stop adding sage.
1 medium onion
1 cup oil
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients except for water. Stir until coated & then add water. Place dressing into a cheesecloth & stuff into cavity. Cook bird at 20 mins a pound at 275* then turn to 300* for the last hour (approx. 5 hours).