Companionship ‘the very best gift’ for senior

Dear Heloise: Being 79 years old, I don’t need much and don’t really want “things” for special occasions. The very best gift anyone could give me is to invite me for a homecooked meal. Nothing fancy, just dinner or lunch and someone to share it with me. Like so many people in my age bracket, breaking bread with a friend or family member means more to us than things. We love the interaction with others and the kindness of home cooking.— Billie-Jo H., Olympia, Wash.

CORNBREAD DRESSING

Dear Heloise: Please reprint your recipe for cornbread dressing. We love it!— Luci G., Harrisonburg, Va.

Luci, this is a longtime family favorite. It can be cooked separately in a well-greased casserole dish and served with not only turkey, but also ham, chicken and other entrees. You’ll need:

1 cup broth (see note) 6-8 slices stale bread, torn into pieces

1 1/2 cups packed crumbled cornbread

1 stick butter or margarine

1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup to 1 cup chopped onion

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 tablespoon dried sage, crumbled

(Note: Make the broth by cooking the giblets and neck of a turkey or chicken in water with seasonings, or use canned chicken broth or chicken bouillon.)

In a large bowl, pour the broth over the bread pieces and cornbread. Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the celery and onion until tender. Add them to the bread mixture, along with the eggs, salt, pepper and seasonings. Mix well.—Heloise