I grew up in a house about a hundred feet from a cornfield, and every evening we'd put the water on to boil, then pick the corn and husk it as we walked rapidly toward the house and chuck it in and dish up the chicken and say a prayer and out came the corn, on went the butter and salt, eight minutes flat from stalk to mouth, and when you ate sweet corn, life had nothing better to offer. You'd been to the top. - Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion
I can't say it any better than Garrison. Fresh summer sweet corn is heavenly — and if you haven't had any yet this summer, what are you waiting for? Nothing is better than corn, butter and salt, of course, but if you've eaten your fill of plain corn and want a few more reasons to enjoy it, then try one of these recipes. There's caramelized sweet corn with tomatoes and bacon, and a salad of corn with zucchini and herbs. There's smoky grilled corn dip, and street fair-style elote with cheese. Something here for everyone — shuck your corn and take your pick.
TOP ROW
• 1 How To Make Elote (Roasted Sweet Corn) At Home
• 2 Smoky Corn and Jalapeno Dip
• 3 Summer Corn Salad
• 4 Potatoes, Green Beans, and Corn in Lemon Brown Butter Sauce
• 5 Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Corn, Goat Cheese, and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes
MIDDLE ROW
• 6 Caramelized Corn with Tomatoes and Bacon
• 7 Corn and Zucchini Salad with Chives
• 8 Herbed Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad
• 9 Mung Bean Salad With Corn and Basil
• 10 Grilled Cactus and Corn Salad
BOTTOM ROW
• 11 Southwestern Pizza with Black Beans and Corn
• 12 Grits with Corn, Goat Cheese & Roasted Tomatoes
What are your favorite ways to enjoy sweet corn in the summertime?
Related: Corn on the Cob: Three Ways to Cook Sweet Corn
(Images: See linked recipes for full image credits)
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There's probably nothing more I love about summer than fresh corn on the cob.
Problem is, I try very hard to eat only locally grown vegetables from the farmer's market from spring through fall, and in NE Ohio there is no corn to be found--yet. I can't wait!
The best thing you can make with summer corn is this corn relish. That way you can enjoy it into the fall. Seriously. It is delicious.
http://whitneyinchicago.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/corn_relish/
What a wonderful post! I made #12 for dinner last night - added some quick sauteed wild Georgia shrimp on top and it was HEAVEN. Look forward to trying the rest. Thanks, Faith!
Why do you need a dozen ways to prepare sweet corn when you can just eat it on the cob with butter?
Since there is nothing better than corn on the cob, that's all we use it for in season. Toward the end of the season , we buy us several dozen ears and freeze it for those long winters when we can only dream of corn on the cob. Maybe then I'll be able to contemplate another preparation :)
The best best way EVER to eat corn on the cob was shown to me by a friend at, of all things, a corn on the cob party (we all drank and ate roasted corn til we couldn't move!)
She got a pound of really good quality salted butter and a big empty glass jar (bigger than a gallon) she filled the jar with boiling water then put the butter in. When the corn was ready, we all would dunk the ears in the water/butter. The water runs off but the butter perfectly coats every cranny of the corn. There was salt and pepper on the side too. It was such a good idea!
Nothing better than sweet corn on the cob with plenty o' warm butter and salt. But I like it any way I can get it. Here's one of my favorite corn salads fresh and satisfying without overdoing it!
http://onionsandchocolate.wordpress.com/2010/07/02/fresh-corn-and-basil-salad-with-black-beans/
Melissa Clark's column in the New York Times last September featured this recipe for creamed corn with gorgonzola, tomatoes and pine nuts. Mouth watering, I picked up all the ingredients on my way home that night -- it was heavenly and I made it every night that week! I've been dreaming of summer corn and tomatoes ever since and they're almost here . . .
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/dining/15apperex.html
For a great Vegetarian meal that feature Elotes check out:
http://rootpursuits.com/2011/07/16/mexican-fiesta/
"Chorizo" dogs, Sweet & Spicy Pepitas and Elotes
:)
This is my favorite summer corn preparation, despite the fact that I need to use the oven:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/fresh_corn_cass/
It's referred to as 'corn casserole', but doesn't involve eggs like traditional corn casserole. I tend to use far less heavy cream than is called for in the recipe - just enough to coat the corn. If I want a little more moisture after the corn is cooked, I splash a little 2% milk into the dish and stir that around to loosen all the baked-on corn bits clinging to the sides and bottom of the dish. Mmmm corn.
homeatlast - I totally second the Melissa Clark recipe from last year with gorgonzola and pine nuts - I made it with big juicy beefsteak tomatoes right at the end of corn season and can't wait to make it again this summer. So delicious.
I say, "don't tamper with nature's simple delights". Pure and simple, no additives required, just the corn will do. Unfortunately, corn tastes delicious, but does not agree with my stomach anymore. Wish I could enjoy it like I did as a kid - cut off the cob and sprinkled with salt!
I cannot wait to get some fresh corn and try this recipe! Hope I can find the cotija cheese...as I feel sure it's the crowning glory of the dish, along with the lime juice.
You may doubt this but try it for kicks - put creamy peanut butter on corn on the cob. It's delicious!
I eat fresh corn on the cob with some butter and soy sauce (try it!!!!) Great with some lemon juice added on too.
I prefer mine simple too: butter and salt eaten straight off the cob. One of my favorite recipes was a cold soup with corn and raw cashews. I think I got it out of a Food and Wine issue from a couple of years back. But I do get inspired by all of these other recipes and think my next corn 'recipe' will be some cheddar corn spoon bread that I saw in, of all places, Parents Magazine.
I generally just eat mine plain or with butter and salt, because it's so good on its own, however I have always been curious about elote, I may need to try it
@makedesign PB sounds so interesting, can't wait to try that out!
I am so, so happy it is corn season :)
This:
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/08/buttermilk-bacon-corn-salad-stuffed-tomatoes-recipe.html
The bacon and the sweet corn complement each other perfectly. :)
Elote is my absolute favorite summer dish! it reminds me of street vendor choclo in Peru, thanks for the recipe and memories!
http://foodfilosofi.wordpress.com/
roasted with miso, butter, and scallions, a la momofuku...
make some fresh lime butter. coat corn. add salt. heaven.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.