Candy Corn Cheese Tower Food

CORN CHEESE

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and preheat the broiler to high.
• Heat the canola oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the corn and cook, stirring, until the corn is softened and browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Set aside for 10 minutes.
• Toss the corn mixture in a large bowl with the mayonnaise, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper until well coated. Layer the corn mixture evenly back in the skillet. Sprinkle the cheese on top and broil until the mozzarella is bubbly and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with gochugaru and sliced scallions if using.

CANDY CORN

Steps:

• Combine the confectioners' sugar, dry milk and salt in a food processor. Pulse 4 or 5 times, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
• Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup and water in a 2-quart pot. Place over medium heat, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Add the butter, clip on a candy thermometer and bring the sugar syrup to 230 degrees F, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and remove the thermometer.
• Add the vanilla and the dry mixture and stir continuously with a silicone spatula until well combined. Pour onto a half sheet pan lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes, until the mixture is cool enough to handle.
• Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Add 2 or 3 drops of yellow food coloring to one piece and knead until the color is consistent throughout. Add 2 or 3 drops of orange to the second piece and knead until the color is consistent throughout. Leave the third piece white.
• Roll each piece of dough into a strand about 18 inches long. Cut each strand in half and roll each piece into a strand that is about 1/2 inch thick and 22 inches long.
• Lay the strands side by side (orange, yellow, then white) and press them together using your fingers. Cut into 4-inch pieces. Then, using a ruler or bench scraper, press each piece into a wedge, keeping the orange section wide and making the white part come to a tip.
• Use a wire butter slicer, knife, bench scraper or pizza cutter to cut each wedge into individual candies. Lay the candies on a piece of parchment until dry, at least 1 hour. Store in an airtight container with parchment between each layer.

VEGAN CASHEW CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the cashews in a bowl and cover with 4 cups water. Cover with plastic and soak 8 hours or up to overnight.
• Drain the cashews and place in a high-powered blender with the lemon juice, coconut oil, salt, white pepper and 1/2 cup cashew milk. Blend the mixture, stirring as necessary. Add the remaining 1/4 cup cashew milk and blend until smooth. Stir in the parsley.
• Fold the cheesecloth in half and line 2 small bowls with a piece of doubled cheesecloth, leaving enough overhang to cover the cashew mixture.
• Divide the cashew mixture between the two bowls and cover completely with the cheesecloth. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 8 hours or up to overnight. Serve cold.