Cornbread & Oyster-Mushroom Stuffing

To prepare cornbread: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.

Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk egg, buttermilk and oil in a medium bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Bake the cornbread until the top springs back when touched lightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out of the pan and let cool completely. Measure 8 cups of 1-inch cubes and let stand at room temperature for up to 2 days. (Reserve the remaining cornbread for another use.)

To prepare stuffing: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter, scallions, thyme, rosemary, sage and pepper. Cook until the butter is melted, about 1 minute.

Place the cornbread in a very large mixing bowl; add the mushroom mixture and broth; gently fold until the cornbread is evenly moistened and ingredients are well distributed. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Tightly cover the pan with foil.

Bake the stuffing for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.