Sunday, August 17, 2008

Corn


Fresh, golden, crunchy corn is here! It’s piled up at markets and at roadside stands. When it’s so plentiful, the temptation is to buy six ears at a time. But then what do you do with it all?
Kathy has already posted a tutorial explaining how to buy, shuck and cook corn on the cob. This is also a great starting point for using corn in all kinds of “off-the-cob” dishes. Once it’s cooked, you can use those fresh kernels on salads, in omelets, stir-fries and soups.
Some of the recipes below call for uncooked fresh corn – just cut off the kernels and you’re ready to start cooking!
Here are 10 Ways to Use Corn:
One of the most popular ways to use corn is in salads. Here’s a simple, colourful Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Basil. Three great summer flavours in one dish!
This recipe for Grilled Corn Salad calls for unshucked corn to be cooked on a grill. But, if you would rather skip buying and grilling fresh corn entirely, there’s a method for using frozen corn. Whew!
For those out there who like blue cheese (you know who you are), here’s a recipe for Corn, Sweet Onion and Blue Cheese Salad.
Another great way to use corn is in soup, like this Fresh Corn Soup, which also calls for potatoes, milk and fresh basil leaves.
This Corn Soup with Vanilla Bean and Pancetta sounds intimidating but, rest assured, it’s got about five ingredients. If you want to approximate the flavors, substitute one teaspoon of vanilla extract for the vanilla bean and use bacon instead of pancetta (an Italian style of bacon).
Corn Fritters: I don’t know about you, but the term “fritters” gives me jitters. I’ve always had the impression that cooking them would involve a deep-fryer and a smoke alarm. Well, not according to Cooking With Engineers, which offers a step-by-step tutorial for this Asian-inspired dish.
These Fresh Corn Muffins call for kernels from two ears of corn. How can they not be good?
When you see this photo-tutorial for Fresh Corn Casserole, I guarantee you will begin to drool on your keyboard. It’s basically corn kernels baked in cream. Thanks, Pioneer Woman!
Here’s a corny twist on salsa. This recipe can be tweaked in any number of ways to suit your taste, and can be used to accompany all kinds of dishes.
If, after trying all these recipes, you want to go back to corn on the cob, at least jazz it up with some new flavors. Cilantro Lime Herb Butter is one of a zillion kinds of herbed butters that taste great on corn.