Creamed Corn With Basil Food

SESAME CORN AND BASIL SAUTE

Steps:

• Lightly toast the sesame seeds in a large skillet over medium heat, taking care not to burn them, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add the butter and garlic. Saute the garlic as the butter melts, about 2 minutes. Add the corn, salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the corn is just tender and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the sesame seeds and half the basil and mix until combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining basil.

CORN WITH BASIL BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine the butter, basil, lemon zest, garlic and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Puree until smooth.
• Spread the basil butter on the grilled corn. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with shredded Parmesan.

CREAMY CORN PASTA WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until 1 minute shy of al dente, according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large sauté pan over medium heat; add scallion whites and a pinch of salt and cook until soft, 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and all but 1/4 cup corn; simmer until corn is heated through and almost tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, transfer to a blender, and purée mixture until smooth, adding a little extra water if needed to get a thick but pourable texture.
• Heat the same skillet over high heat. Add butter and let melt. Add reserved 1/4 cup corn and cook until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. (It's O.K. if the butter browns; that deepens the flavor.) Add the corn purée and cook for 30 seconds to heat and combine the flavors.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add pasta and half the reserved pasta cooking water, tossing to coat. Cook for 1 minute, then add a little more of the pasta cooking water if the mixture seems too thick. Stir in 1/4 cup of the scallion greens, the Parmesan, the herbs, the red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice to taste. Transfer to warm pasta bowls and garnish with more scallions, herbs, a drizzle of olive oil and black pepper.

CORN WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Rinse frozen corn with cold water to separate; drain. In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook corn, onion and celery in butter 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is tender.
• Stir in remaining ingredients; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until corn is tender.

CREAMED CORN WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Working in a large bowl, cut kernels from cobs with a sharp knife and set aside. Scrape back of knife several times against cobs to extract remaining corn pulp, scraping into a large glass measure. (You should have at least 3/4 cup of corn pulp. If not, add 2 tablespoons crème fraîche.) Transfer pulp to a blender and purée with 2 tablespoons crème fraîche until smooth.
• Cook shallot in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in kernels, then add corn purée, water, salt, and pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until kernels are just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil to taste.

SAVORY CREAMED CORN

Steps:

• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add corn; cook 6 min., stirring frequently.
• Stir in sour cream; cook and stir 3 min. or until heated through.
• Remove from heat; stir in cheese and basil.

CREAMED CORN WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Working in a large bowl, cut kernels from cobs with a sharp knife and set aside. Scrape back of knife several times against cobs to extract remaining corn pulp, scraping into a large glass measure. (You should have at least 3/4 cup of corn pulp. If not, add 2 tablespoons crème fraîche.) Transfer pulp to a blender and purée with 2 tablespoons crème fraîche until smooth. Cook shallot in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in kernels, then add corn purée, water, salt, and pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until kernels are just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil to taste.

CREAMY CORN SOUP WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. When the oil starts to look wavy, add the onions and season well with salt and pepper.
• Let onions cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, about 4 to 5 minutes, then turn heat to medium and continue cooking until onions are quite soft, about 15 minutes more.
• Add the garlic and corn kernels, and stir to combine. Add 6 cups water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Taste the resulting broth and adjust salt to taste. (It should be well seasoned.) Cook for about another 10 to 15 minutes, until the kernels are tender. Stir in squash blossoms, if using, and turn off heat.
• Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender. Pass the puréed soup through a fine-mesh strainer and into a large bowl, pushing down to press all the liquid out. Discard the fibrous debris left behind.
• Check consistency and seasoning, and adjust as needed. (Add a bit more water if the soup seems too thick.) The soup can be made up to a few hours ahead up to this point, and tastes best the day it's made. Reheat, if needed, before serving.
• To serve, ladle into individual bowls. Drizzle about a teaspoon of olive oil over each serving. Quickly chop the basil, and sprinkle over to finish.