One of the best parts of the summer is enjoying fresh sweet corn. While those tasty kernels are great when cooked on the cob, students working toward an online culinary arts certificate will enjoy incorporating this warm weather staple into a variety of dishes. Try a few different recipes that spotlight corn, and then come up with your own ideas for this versatile veggie.
1. Freshen up scalloped corn
“Scalloped corn is a comfort food favorite.”
Scalloped corn is a comfort food favorite that you can pull off with just frozen and canned produce. However, for the best results, you’ll incorporate fresh corn, as in the recipe provided by Midwest Living. First, prepare a topping by melting butter in a skillet and cooking crushed saltine crackers on medium heat until they are light brown.
After removing the crackers, melt more butter and saute onions until they are tender. Add both fresh corn and creamed corn from a can, plus more crushed crackers, milk, lightly beaten eggs, pimento, black pepper and paprika. Move the mixture into a greased casserole dish, sprinkling on the topping.
Bake in an oven set to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 40 minutes. When the center sets and you can cleanly remove a knife, remove the dish from the oven. Throw on some shredded Swiss cheese and allow the scalloped corn 10 minutes to rest before serving.
2. Enjoy a new spin on succotash
Traditionally, succotash brings together corn, lima beans and an assortment of other ingredients, like tomatoes, peppers or okra. A recipe from Martha Stewart Living mixed things up a bit, bringing some excitement to the classic side with edamame.
Start by setting fresh basil in boiling water for 10 seconds and then moving into into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the herbs and place them in a blender with extra-virgin olive oil and salt to puree. Pour more olive oil into a skillet over medium-high heat to saute minced garlic and sliced scallions. About 30 seconds later, throw in corn, edamame and salt.
Cook for 10 minutes, watching for the mixture to begin caramelizing, before adding halved cherry tomatoes and white balsamic vinegar. After eight minutes or so, top with the basil oil and serve.
3. Create a Mexican-inspired dip
No summer gathering is complete without a tasty dip. Delish suggested one that combines corn with cheese for results your guests will love. The directions call for using a whisk to combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chili powder and lime juice.
Next, add salt, corn, garlic, jalapeno, green onion, cilantro, shredded Monterey Jack and crumbled feta. Move the resulting mixture into a baking dish, sprinkling on more Monterey Jack. Bake in an oven set to 350 degrees for up to half an hour.
When the dip is golden and bubbling, remove from the oven. Top off with cilantro and hot sauce and set out with tortilla chips.
Every ear of corn is full of potential for students in culinary academy. Feature this much-loved ingredient in your recipes this summer.
