Tag Archives: corn

Corn Chowder with Miso and Scallions

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With the end of fresh corn season looming, we are hyper-vigilant to try any delicious sounding corn recipe. This corn chowder, inspired by a corn side dish in “The Gaijin Cookbook” by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying, is unconventional in a couple of ways. Instead of relying on an abundance of dairy for creaminess, a portion of the cooked vegetables is puréed. This gives the soup body without blunting the delicate sweet, grassy notes of the corn, nor the earthiness of the potatoes.

Secondly, white miso lends deep, umami-rich flavor, so there’s no need for the salt pork or bacon typically used in corn chowder, nor even for chicken broth, so this soup is vegetarian-friendly.

Fresh in-season corn is, of course, best—cut the kernels from the ears and simmer the cobs right in the mix, which infuses the broth with maximum flavor. Out of season, frozen corn kernels are a decent stand-in. You won’t have cobs for simmering, but the chowder still will be good. And if you wish the chowder to have golden hue, stir in a pinch or two of ground turmeric. And we loved the garnish of chili oil!

NOTE: When the corn cobs are removed, cool them off a bit. Then scrape off any residual bits of corn kernels and corn milk and add it to the soup in the pot so that none of that goodness goes to waste.

Corn Chowder with Miso and Scallions

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. salted butter, cut into 2 or 3 pieces
  • 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts reserved separately
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup white miso
  • 1/4 cup mirin
  • 4 ears corn, husked, kernels cut from cobs (about 3 cups), cobs reserved
  • 1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 6 cups water
  • Optional garnish: Chili oil

Directions

  1. In a large Dutch oven over medium, melt the butter. Add the scallion whites and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the miso and cook, stirring to incorporate it into the scallion, until the miso is lightly browned, about 1 minute.
  2. Add the mirin and cook, stirring, until the liquid has mostly evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in 6 cups water, then add the reserved corn cobs. Bring to a boil over medium-high, then stir in the corn kernels and potatoes. Return to a boil, then reduce to medium and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat and cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove and discard the corn cobs. Transfer 1½ cups of the solids to a blender along with about ½ cup of the liquid. Puree until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute.
  4. Return the blended portion to the pot and stir. Bring to a simmer over medium, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, then taste and season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with the scallion greens. Top with chili oil, if desired.

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Recipe by Diane Unger for Milk Street

Corn on the Cob with Melted Miso-Butter

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The fresh ears of corn are drenched in a creamy-salty richness of butter, miso, and salt, then topped with sliced scallions. For maximum flavor, sake is used as an added liquid (our version reduces the sake by half), but water works, too. Scallions and flaky salt, are the final flourish.

This recipe is loosely based on a grilled corn recipe from Milk Street in which the corn is also topped with toasted sesame seeds (we omitted). We opted to steam the corn and then drench it with a miso-butter mixture combined with an immersion blender.

The original recipe calls for the butter and miso to be melted in a skillet and whisked until emulsified. Ours never did emulsify, so we just put all ingredients (except scallions) into the immersion blender cup.

In fact, we doubled the butter mixture because we wanted leftovers for a corn sauté dish for an upcoming party. And we still had some leftover for future dishes! Think baked potatoes, streamed veggies, hot dinner rolls…

Corn on the Cob with Melted Miso-Butter

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted
  • 2 Tbsp. white miso
  • 1/4 cup sake or water
  • 1 Tbsp. lime juice (missing in above photo)
  • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
  • Ground white pepper
  • 6 ears corn, husked
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Boil water in a large skillet. Add the ears of corn, turn off the heat and cover for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, using an immersion blender, emulsify the melted butter and white miso.
  3. Add in the sake, lime juice sesame oil and white pepper and continue blending until you have a smooth consistency.
  4. Remove corn to a platter, drain the water from the pan. Add the ears of corn back to the skillet and pour the miso-butter mixture over the ears, cover and let sit over low heat for a few minutes until warmed through.
  5. With tongs, lift each ear out of the skillet, letting excess mixture drip off, and place all earns on a platter. Sprinkle with scallions slices and serve immediately.
  6. Save remaining miso-butter mixture in a glass container with lid. Refrigerate. Let come to room temperature when ready to use again.

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Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Spicy Corn

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Another winner, sheet-pan dinner. The spicy, salty jalapeño brine balances sweet corn kernels, which roast on a sheet pan alongside chicken thighs in this simple, summery weeknight meal. The chicken, marinated with basil, garlic and a little mayonnaise, stays juicy even after a brief stint under the broiler.

You can serve this hot from the oven or at room temperature — it’s equally good each way — and cold leftovers are excellent piled onto lettuce or avocado for a salad the next day. BINGO!

It is required that you marinate the chicken in a mayo mixture for at least 30 minutes, and up to six hours. Ours marinated for three hours, so keep this in mind when planning to make this dish. We had two ears of corn already previously heated, plus two more fresh cobs, and just sliced off the kernels from all four and mixed them together.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs with Spicy Corn

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 ¾ tsp. fine sea or table salt, divided
  • 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup finely chopped basil, plus more for garnish
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
  • ⅓ cup chopped pickled jalapeños, plus brine from the jar
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (from about 4 ears)
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 5 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 jalapeño, sliced into rings
  • 1 lime, halved

Directions

  1. Season the chicken all over with ¾ teaspoon of salt. In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, basil, garlic and 2 tablespoons jalapeño brine. Add the chicken to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes and up to 6 hours.
  2. Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together corn, pickled jalapeños, olive oil, remaining 1 teaspoon salt and half of the scallions (save remaining scallions for serving).
  3. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet, spacing it out. Roast for 12 minutes. Spoon the corn mixture onto the empty parts of the baking sheet. Drizzle chicken and corn with oil. Continue to roast until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes longer, stirring the corn once while roasting. (Our chicken thighs were ready after 10 minutes.)
  4. Turn the broiler on high and broil the chicken and corn until golden brown in spots, 2 to 4 minutes (watch carefully so it doesn’t burn, though a little blistering is nice).
  5. Garnish chicken and corn with basil, remaining scallions and fresh jalapeño slices. Sprinkle with with lime juice. Serve hot or at room temperature.

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Adapted from a recipe by Melissa Clark for NYTimes Cooking

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Corn with Lime-Basil Butter

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Fresh corn is king this time of year in the Northeast, so it’s not unheard of for us to include it as an ingredient in up to 3 or 4 meals a week. Once the season has ended, fresh corn is rarely on the meal docket. This recipe is everything a dinner should be in summer: easy, cooked outside, minimal ingredients, and full of fresh flavors.

These summery grilled chicken thighs with sweet corn are scented with basil and lime. Warm your lime-basil butter on the side of the grill while you cook your corn and chicken, so it melts willingly on the charred thighs and corn kernels. Finishing with extra lime wedges and flaky salt isn’t a recommendation, but an essential final kick.

We thought the amount of corn was a bit shy, and suggest upping the amount by 50% to 6 ears. With a minimal amount of ingredients, the dish comes together rather quickly and bursts with flavor!

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Corn with Lime-Basil Butter

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • Juice and zest of 2 limes
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup basil leaves
  • 4-6 ears of corn, shucked
  • Flaky sea salt, to finish

Directions

  1. Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and season with the garlic, olive oil, 1¾ teaspoons salt and juice of 1 lime. Toss to coat. Let marinate at room temperature while the grills heats up or, ideally, refrigerate, covered, overnight. (We marinated ours for 3 hours.)
  2. To make the lime-basil butter, place the butter, lime zest, ¾ cup basil leaves, ¼ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in a food processor and whizz until basil is chopped and incorporated. Refrigerate overnight or leave out of the fridge if you’re ready to grill.
  3. When ready to cook, light the grill to medium-high. If needed, remove the chicken and lime-basil butter from the fridge and place the butter near the grill so it softens. Place the ears of corn on one side of the grill, turning every 3 minutes or so, until cooked through and lightly charred, 10 to 20 minutes total. Pull the corn off the grill and slice off the charred kernels. Place them on a serving platter and top with some of the basil butter.
  4. While the corn is cooking and being sliced, place the chicken on the grill flat sides down. Char until it releases from the grates easily, 5 to 7 minutes. Rotate the chicken slightly, without flipping, to get more color on the first side. Pay attention to how the color develops and when areas of the first side become chestnut in color and look delicious, flip the chicken and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes. Continue rotating and flipping every few minutes until the chicken is cooked through. To check if the chicken is cooked, poke a knife into the thickest part of the meat. The juices should run clear and the meat should no longer be translucent.
  5. Remove the chicken from the grill, slice each thigh in half across its widest part and place slices on top of the corn. Spoon the remaining basil butter on top of the hot chicken and sprinkle over remaining basil leaves, the remaining lime juice and flaky salt. Grind some extra black pepper over the top.

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Original recipe by Clare de Boer for NYTimes Cooking

Grilled Corn Ribs with Honey Butter

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What a real cool idea! These corn ribs were a big hit at a recent patio party. The spice-rubbed and honey-drizzled corn “ribs” combined the best things about corn on the cob and barbecue ribs. And are a much more “civilized” approach when dining among friends.

The safest and easiest way to cut corn into “ribs” is to first trim the ends of husked corn on the cob so they’re flat. Cut the corn in the cob in half crosswise, and then stand the corn up on the widest cut side. Use a sharp knife to cut straight down lengthwise, then lay each half flat on your cutting board, and cut in half again lengthwise. 

Make Ahead: The corn ribs can be cut up to a day in advance and stored in a large ziplock plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Grilled Corn Ribs with Honey Butter

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 4 ears fresh yellow corn, husked
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grill
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 2 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Photo by Christopher Testani

Directions

  1. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Cut 1/2 inch off ends of each corn cob; discard trimmed ends. Cut each cob in half l
  2. crosswise. Working with 1 cob piece at a time, stand cob upright, and carefully cut in half lengthwise.
  3. Place cob halves, cut sides down, on cutting board; cut in half lengthwise again to create “ribs.” Repeat with remaining cob pieces. Place corn ribs in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
  4. Whisk together oil, black pepper, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl; brush evenly over corn ribs.
  5. Place corn ribs on oiled grates; grill, covered, turning often, until corn is charred and tender, 4 to 8 minutes. Arrange corn ribs on a serving platter.
  6. Whisk together melted butter, honey, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Drizzle butter mixture over corn ribs; garnish with scallions. Serve hot.

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Recipe by Anna Theoktisto originally appeared in Food & Wine magazine, June 2024

Miso Shrimp and Corn Couscous Salad

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‘Tis the season for fresh corn this time of year in the great state of Pennsylvania. And so many of our dishes will contain the ingredient in one form or another. Here’s a fantastic shrimp dish that takes only about 30 minutes!

A delightful blend of bright, sunny colors and flavors shine in this summery salad. A lemony dressing coats the tender, slightly chewy, pearled couscous, which helps to cut the richness of the miso-butter mixture that coats the shrimp and charred corn.

While this salad is best with fresh corn — at its sweetest scraped straight off the cob — frozen corn makes an excellent substitute any time of year, even though it won’t char quite as visibly. Serve at room temperature or warm for a picnic or outdoor dinner, pairing it with aside salad. 

What made our version really stand out with lots of taste was using homemade shellfish stock to cook the whole wheat couscous. It takes it to another level. Of course if you do not have any, water works fine.

In Step 5 we recommend melting the butter with the miso separately (quickly in a microwave works fine), then stir into the pan with the other ingredients. If you don’t, there is a good chance the miso won’t get well distributed and could result in mouthful of miso (take it from our experience).

Miso Shrimp and Corn Couscous Salad

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • ¼ packed cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 1 large lemon, juiced (about 3 Tbsp.)
  • 5 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1½ cups pearl couscous
  • 2 cups corn kernels, removed from the cob (from 2 to 3 fresh ears of corn)
  • 1 lb. peeled and deveined shrimp, patted dry
  • 4 scallions, light green and white parts thinly sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. white miso paste
  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Directions

  1. In a large serving bowl, mix together half the cilantro with the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil until combined. Season with salt and a few grinds of pepper.
  2. In a saucepan over medium-high, toast the couscous, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and fragrant, 3 or 4 minutes. Add 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt, then bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to maintain an active simmer and cook until tender, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly; then transfer to the bowl and toss with the dressing.
  3. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy, 12-inch skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add the corn kernels, season lightly with salt and let cook, mostly undisturbed, until charred in spots, 7 to 9 minutes. Stirring once or twice as the kernels brown, or as needed if they start to pop.
  4. Push the corn to the sides of the pan to create an open space in the middle. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then the shrimp and scallions; season lightly with salt and cook for 2 minutes. Stir everything together and cook until the shrimp are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more, depending on the size of the shrimp.
  5. Remove from the heat and stir in the miso and butter* until evenly dispersed, scraping up anything on the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute more.
  6. Transfer everything in the pan to the serving bowl and toss with the couscous. Garnish with the remaining cilantro and serve.

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Original recipe by Yasmin Fahr for NYTimes Cooking

Summer Shrimp Scampi with Tomatoes and Corn

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Here’s a summer recipe that could possibly live in your memory for some time to come. As most of us know, shrimp get along well with garlic, butter and lemon, and so do tomatoes and corn. Combine them, and you get a summery shrimp scampi that comes together in one skillet.

A searing hot pan helps the tomatoes blister and the corn caramelize before they are coated in a garlic-lemon butter sauce. This is a meal in and of itself, but if you want to serve it with pasta or bread, they’d be welcome additions. In fact, if you do plan to serve 4 diners, you will definitely need some accompaniments, because it barely made 3 sufficient servings when we made it.

If not overly concerned with carbs, serve over orzo and/or with some crusty bread to mop up that incredible sauce is the way to go.

It was beyond delicious, even with frozen corn. So can you imagine if using fresh corn cut right off the cob? It wasn’t quite ready for picking at the time we made this, but when we replicate the recipe soon, you betcha we’ll use fresh corn!

The original recipe indicated it would take a total time of only 15 minutes. Impossible. Just cutting the kernels off the ears of corn takes 8 minutes or so. Realistically, it took the 2 of us just over a half hour from start to finish. Still, that’s not bad for such a scrumptious meal!

Summer Shrimp Scampi with Tomatoes and Corn

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (from 4 ears)
  • 5garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp. red-pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon), plus wedges for serving (optional)
  • 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
  • 3 Tbsp. chopped parsley or chives, or torn basil leaves

Directions

  1. Pat the shrimp very dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large (12-inch) skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and lightly golden in spots, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a plate.
  2. Add the tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring just once or twice, until they start to blister in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the corn, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring just once or twice, until the tomatoes burst and the corn is golden in spots, 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until you smell garlic, about 1 minute.
  4. Reduce heat to medium, and add the wine and lemon juice, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until nearly evaporated, then add the butter and stir until melted. Add the shrimp and its juices and stir until warmed through. (If the sauce breaks and looks greasy, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of water and stir until emulsified.)
  5. Remove from heat, add the herbs, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve with extra lemon for squeezing over, if you like.

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Recipe by Ali Slagle for NYTimes Cooking

Summer Solution Pasta

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Cherry and grape tomatoes are in abundance by late August, as is fresh corn and herbs. So this “clean-out-the-larder” approach helps you use up some of the excess staples and fresh produce in a tasty way.

It starts with a roasted cherry-tomato sauce that includes garlic, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to add a slightly sweet note. To scale back on the sweetness, switch the balsamic to red wine vinegar and reduce or omit the brown sugar.

On occasion, we have already cooked ears of corn leftover from a previous meal. Here’s a chance to use them up. Cut the kernels off the cobs and add them to boiling water when you toss in the dried fusilli.

Once the pasta is done, plate into a large serving bowl and stir in the pesto—we used a homemade sage pesto* but one made with basil will work just as well. Next fold in the tomato mixture and let guests scoop out a serving, passing the grated parmesan around for topping. A side salad makes a nice companion to the pasta and uses up more of your produce.

*FOR THE SAGE PESTO:
• ½ cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup fresh parsley leaves
• ½ cup fresh sage leaves
• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 oz. (1/2 cup) Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for serving
• Salt and pepper
Pulse pine nuts and garlic in food processor until coarsely chopped, about 5 pulses. Add parsley and sage; with processor running, slowly add oil and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to bowl, stir in Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Summer Solution Pasta

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 1⁄2 lbs. cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • 1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp. light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. coarse salt
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme (or 1 tsp. dried thyme)
  • 1 or 2 ears of corn, cooked with kernels cut off the cob
  • 1⁄4 cup fresh basil or sage pesto (see recipe above)
  • 1 lb. whole wheat fusilli, cooked according to package directions
  • Grated Parmesan for topping

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Mix together tomatoes and garlic in a nonreactive 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
  3. Whisk together oil, vinegar, thyme, brown sugar and salt in a bowl. Drizzle over tomato mixture.
  4. Bake until tomatoes are softened and caramelized, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile cook the fusilli according to package directions, adding the corn kernels in with the pasta when the water starts to boil. Time it so the pasta is done at about the same time as the tomatoes.
  6. Mix the pesto into the fusilli and corn and fold in the tomato mixture.
  7. Serve, passing around the grated parmesan for topping.

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Grilled Corn, Avocado and Chicken Salad With Feta Dressing

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With the last gasps of the unofficial summer calendar closing in on us, let the season’s bounty shine on the plate. And to that end, this lively salad of corn, scallions, jalapeño and avocado tossed with a tangy buttermilk-feta dressing is like summer on a plate. The sweetness of peak-summer corn and the richness of creamy avocado balance out the tartness of the dressing.

While this recipe from NYTimes Cooking could be a side dish or a vegetarian main, we opted to add a protein to give it more heft as an entrée. In that vein, we grilled some chicken breasts with a Japanese 7-spice rub, but grilled shrimp or salmon would work wonderfully also. And to save time on dinner day, we grilled the chicken the day before while barbecuing other items.

The directions below are for the full recipe which allows for 4 to 6 portions. But with just the two of us, we cut most of the recipe in half, while altering quantities of other ingredients as we saw fit. After eating two healthy servings, we still had some leftover for lunch the following day.

Grilled Corn, Avocado and Chicken Salad With Feta Dressing

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, rubbed with spices of your choice (optional)
  • 6 ears corn (about 3 lbs.), shucked and silk removed
  • 1 bunch scallions, trimmed
  • 1 jalapeño, stemmed and halved lengthwise
  • 3 Tbsp.olive oil
  •  Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated
  • ¼ cup sliced fresh chives
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 medium head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (about 8 cups)
  • 2 avocados, sliced

Directions

  1. If a protein is desired, grill chicken (or shrimp, salmon) until done. This can be done a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
  2. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high. Brush corn, scallions and jalapeño with the oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Arrange on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until corn kernels are browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes, and the scallions and jalapeño are charred all over and tender, 9 to 10 minutes.
  4. Transfer vegetables to a cutting board and let cool slightly.
  5. In a medium bowl, using a whisk (I used a pestle), mash the feta into a coarse paste. Whisk in buttermilk, lemon zest and juice and garlic, then stir in chives and parsley.
  6. Finely chop the charred jalapeño and stir it into the feta dressing; season with salt and pepper.
  7. In a large bowl, toss lettuce with half the feta dressing and arrange on a platter. Cut corn kernels off the cob and slice scallions into bite-size pieces. Arrange avocado slices, corn and scallions on top of the lettuce.
  8. Serve with remaining dressing.

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Adapted from a recipe by Sue Li for NYTimes Cooking

Corn Sauté with Miso and Scallions

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To create this corn side dish with rich, toasted flavor, strip the corn from the cobs when they are raw and then cook the kernels in a nearly smoking skillet. It is important not to stir the corn for a few minutes to give it a chance to brown. Once the corn is cooked, mix in plenty of salty, savory ingredients to balance the sweetness. Finally, an acidic component rounds out the dish.

Because fresh corn can vary in sweetness, the recipe calls for seasoning with a range of rice vinegar. We made it twice so far, and prefer the version with just 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. When browning the corn kernels in a nonstick skillet, we found it took longer to get that caramelization, nearly three times longer! But so worth it because it was delicious and paired well with our grilled baby back ribs.

Corn Sauté with Miso and Scallions

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 6 scallions, white parts minced, green parts sliced thin on bias
  • 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
  • 2 Tbsp. white miso
  • 1 – 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 4 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs (4 cups)
  • Salt
  • 1 Tbsp. mirin
  • 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

Directions

  1. Melt butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add scallion whites and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until scallions are softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer scallion mixture to large bowl and whisk in miso and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Wipe out skillet.
  2. Heat oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add corn and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, without stirring, until corn is browned on bottom and beginning to pop, about 3-5 minutes. Stir and continue to cook, stirring once or twice, until corn is spotty brown all over, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  3. Add mirin and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute. Transfer corn to bowl with scallion mixture.
  4. Stir in scallion greens. Season with salt and remaining vinegar to taste. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

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Recipe from Cook’s Illustrated

Spiced Chicken with Corn, Mushrooms and Zucchini

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Although summer produce season was nearing its end, we easily scored some fresh corn and zucchini to make this flavorful Spiced Chicken with Corn, Mushrooms and Zucchini. It’s a one pan meal that’s ready in a total of 45 minutes. Cooked in a skillet, the spiced chicken takes on a brick-red hue with a moderately spicy kick. (You can adjust the amount of heat by adding or eliminating the amount of cayenne.)

Here gochugaru—Korean red chile flakes—imbues this one-skillet chicken and vegetable supper with its deep, savory flavor, gentle heat and a hint of smokiness. But don’t fret if you can’t find gochugaru, just substitute ancho chile powder, regular chili powder or chipotle chile powder (or choice) for a delicious but different taste profile. Add more cayenne or eliminate it to adjust the level of heat, which is moderate as written. (Gochugaru can be found at Asian markets, well stocked supermarkets or online.)

I got carried away and pounded the chicken breasts down to a 1/4″ instead of the indicated 1/2″. Not a problem as long as the meat is not overcooked and dried out. Adjust the cooking time so that the poultry registers 160°, then move to a plate and cover with foil.

The amount of chicken we made was over 1 1/2 pounds, which when hammered down made 4 large cutlets, and therefore had to be cooked in 2 batches. Once the veggies are done, pour the accumulated chicken juices into the pan and stir to distribute.

Yes, you can make this meal with frozen corn, but you will suffer from a loss of flavor. This summer was THE BEST corn season we’ve experienced in a long time. And this last batch in particular was astoundingly sweet and juicy!

Spiced Chicken with Corn, Mushrooms and Zucchini

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tsp. gochugaru (Korean chile flakes; may substitute ancho chile powder, regular chili powder or chipotle chile powder)
  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 1/4 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to 1/2-inch thick
  • 2 Tbsp. canola oil or another neutral oil, divided
  • 8 oz. fresh shiitake mushrooms or a mix of mushrooms such as shiitake, oyster and/or cremini, sliced
  • 2 to 3 Tbsp. water, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and light green parts, plus dark greens for garnish
  • 1 Tbsp. minced or finely grated fresh ginger
  • 1 medium zucchini (8 ounces), trimmed, quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 3-4 ears of corn, kernels sliced from cob

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the gochugaru, 1/4 teaspoon salt, the granulated garlic and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture onto both sides of the chicken, rubbing it in a little with your fingers.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the chicken to the pan, reduce the heat to medium and cook until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan, followed by the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the water if the pan seems dry, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the scallions and ginger and cook until they soften, about 1 minute.
  5. Add the zucchini, corn and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until the vegetables are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. If the pan seems dry, add more water as needed, a couple of tablespoons at a time.
  6. Pour any accumulated juices from the chicken into the pan with the vegetables, and then slice the chicken into strips.
  7. Serve the vegetables with the sliced chicken on top or on the side.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Loosely adapted from a recipe by Laura Chase de Formigny for The Washington Post

Mexican Sweet Corn Cake

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With the end of corn season drawing to a close, you may be thinking what else could you make with freshly picked maize? Sweet corn is the most common variety of maize eaten directly off the cob. The ear is picked while the endosperm is in the “milk stage” so that the kernels are still tender. How about Mexican Sweet Corn Cake?

For starters, it is only slightly sweet, moist and nothing like cornbread, which is denser and cornier. The texture is softer and more velvety than cake. A hint of corn flavor, but less than you expect and a suggestion of sweetness without being sweet. Interested now?

According to Milk Street where we found this recipe, this simple baked treat is ubiquitous in Mexican food markets, street stalls and restaurants. Its texture lands somewhere between cake and cornbread while hinting at custard. In Mexico City, it’s commonly served for breakfast, but finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, it also makes a casual, homey dessert.

Fresh Mexican corn used for making this type of cake is starchier and drier than the fresh corn available in the U.S., so a bit of cornmeal is added here. If you have more than 250 grams (1½ cups) corn after cutting the kernels from the ears, it’s best to save the extra for another use rather than use it in this recipe; the additional moisture may make the cake too wet. Yellow corn yields a cake with a warm golden hue, but white corn also works.

Don’t use frozen corn kernels—it results in a dense, gummy texture. Made with fresh corn, the cake’s crumb is much lighter and softer. After adding the flour mixture to the corn puree, don’t whisk vigorously. Gentle mixing, just until no pockets of flour remain, will minimize gluten development so the cake bakes up tender.

  • Let the cake cool…
  • …then add powdered sugar
  • Slice and serve

Mexican Sweet Corn Cake

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 medium ears fresh corn, preferably yellow, husked
  • ¼ cup fine yellow cornmeal
  • 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 1¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • Powdered sugar, to serve

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle position.
  2. Mist a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Using a chef’s knife, cut the kernels from the ears of corn. Measure 1½ cups kernels and add to a blender; if you have extra corn, reserve it for another use. To the blender, add the cornmeal, condensed milk and yogurt, then puree until smooth, 15 to 20 seconds, scraping down the blender as needed. Let stand for 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
  4. To the blender, add the whole eggs and yolks, and the oil; blend on low until smooth, 5 to 10 seconds.
  5. Pour the puree into a large bowl. Add the flour mixture and whisk just until evenly moistened and no lumps of flour remain.
  6. Transfer to the prepared cake pan and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
  7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Run a paring knife around the pan to loosen the cake, then invert directly onto the rack and lift off the pan. Re-invert the cake onto a serving platter and cool completely, about 1 hour.
  8. Serve dusted with powdered sugar.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from Milk Street

When Corn Reigns King

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Because of the abundance of fresh produce in mid- to late-summer, we find ourselves gravitating to certain vegetables which have a limited growing season, one being sweet corn on the cob. It finds its way to our dinner table often as a side dish: hot, buttered and eaten right off the cob. But occasionally, we want to make it the star of the show, such as in this Smoky, Sweet Corn Chowder recipe. And September is synonymous with THE BEST, when corn reigns king.

Using corn sliced right off the cob, diced potatoes and veggies this easy chowder is finished with a bit of cream, a skosh of white wine and crispy bacon crumbles. Don’t throw the cobs away after removing the kernels, instead, add them to the broth to get even more of their milky goodness into the chowder.

We changed things up a bit, no surprise there. The original recipe called for 5 cups of water. Since we had some homemade ham stock in the freezer, we substituted that (and upped the quantity by 1 cup) for the water which of course adds tons of flavor. Then, figuring we would get more taste and substance from andouille sausage than ham hocks we made that switcharoo too.

Lastly, our bicolored ears of corn were not large so I added 6 ears worth, after all, it is the star of the show here. Because it all comes together fairly quickly when the cooking starts, prep the vegetables for the chowder before you begin cooking. All the chopping—that’s the most time-intensive part of the process. But oh so worth it, because corn reigns supreme and is crowned the king in this recipe.

Smoky Sweet Corn Chowder

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (more for garnish if desired)
  • 6 ears corn on the cob, cut off the cob (do not discard cobs)
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 1 large Vidalia Onion
  • 1 lb. red or white potatoes, cut into 1/2″ dice (no need to peel)
  • 12 oz. Andouille sausage, sliced in half lengthwise, cut into 1/4″-thick half moons
  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, finely diced (save fronds for garnish)
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 cups ham stock (or water)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2-3 Tbsp. white wine

Directions

  1. Chop the bacon and crisp it in a dutch oven. Transfer bacon crumbles to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
  2. Sauté the corn, celery, onion, fennel and garlic in the bacon renderings.
  3. Add herb bundle, stock (or water), half of the diced potatoes, bouillon, corn cobs and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove the corn cobs and herb bundle and puree half of the soup in a blender until smooth.
  5. Add the chowder puree back to the pot and add the sausage, remaining potatoes, cream and white wine.
  6. Return the pot to a simmer over medium heat with the lid tightly secured for an additional 10 minutes until the potato is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  7. Serve with chopped fennel fronds and bacon.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Loosely adapted from a recipe by Dorie Greenspan