Fresh Corn Food

SOUTHERN CREAMED CORN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cut the tip off cob. Cut the kernels from cob with a small paring knife. Using the back of the blade, scrape against the cob to press out the milky liquid.
• Whisk together sugar, flour, and salt and pepper, to taste. Combine with corn. Add the heavy cream and water. Mix.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat bacon grease. Add corn mixture and turn heat down to medium-low, stirring until it becomes creamy, about 30 minutes.
• Add the butter right before serving.

FRESH CORN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix the corn kernels with the flour. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a baking dish and bake for 1 hour.

FRESH CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the corn for 3 minutes until the starchiness is just gone. Drain and immerse it in ice water to stop the cooking and to set the color. When the corn is cool, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.
• Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the red onions, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. Taste for seasonings and serve cold or at room temperature.

FRESH CORN PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place butter in a 9x13 inch baking pan and set in oven to melt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, sugar, pepper, milk and flour. When mixture is smooth, stir in corn. Remove pan from oven when butter is melted. Pour butter into corn mixture and stir well. Pour corn mixture into baking pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until set in center and golden brown on top.

FRESH CORN CARBONARA

Steps:

• Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain.
• Meanwhile, fry bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain (reserve fat). Scrape excess corn milk from cobs into a blender by firmly running the back of a chef's knife down the sides. Add cream, half of the corn kernels, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 2 Tbsp. reserved bacon fat. Purée until a smooth sauce forms.
• Toss hot pasta with corn sauce, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and half each of the remaining corn kernels, bacon, and basil in a large bowl.
• Divide pasta among bowls and top with remaining corn kernels, bacon, and basil. Season with pepper and top with Parmesan.

FRESH CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook corn in enough boiling water to cover for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Drain, cool and set aside. , In a large bowl, mix the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, sugar, salt if desired, basil and cayenne pepper. Cut cooled corn off the cob (should measure 4 cups). , Add the corn, tomatoes, onion and peppers to the oil mixture. Mix well. Cover and chill for several hours or overnight.

FRESH CORN SOUP

Steps:

• Sauté onion and peppers in butter in a large saucepan for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add corn; cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in chicken broth, sugar, salt and white pepper.
• Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes.
• Stir in half and half; cook until thoroughly heated.
• DO NOT BOIL.

HOW TO FREEZE FRESH CORN

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a slow boil, cook corn in batches, boiling for 4 minutes each batch.
• Transfer cooked ears to a dish towel, allow to drain and cool until easily handled (this is how you keep the corn from being too watery).
• Using an angel food cake pan, place ear on center and begin cutting kernels off so they fall into the pan. Then angle knife slightly to get the small bits out of the ears. Repeat until pan is full or all ears are cut.
• Pour butter over kernels and mix well (this gives each kernel its own seal).
• Put about 2 cups of corn into individual bags. Squeeze all the air out, seal then push to flatten each bag.
• Freeze flat on a cookie sheet to keep each bag flat, then stack to store in freezer.
• Corn will be good for up to a year, to use, defrost in the microwave and serve.

FRESH CORN RELISH

Steps:

• Fry bacon in a large skillet and set aside. Remove most of the bacon grease leaving about a tablespoon in the pan.
• Sautee the corn, onions, and bell pepper in the reserved bacon grease for about 5 minutes.
• Crumble the bacon on top and add the balsamic vinegar. Mix together.
• Salt and pepper to taste. Add more balsamic if you like the tang!

FRESH CORN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Reserve 1/2 the quantity of kernels (about 1 and 1/2 cups), and puree the rest in a blender with some of the stock/broth.
• Strain through a sieve and add this strained liquid to the rest of the stock in a saucepan.
• Taste for seasoning (salt).
• Heat to boiling point when ready to prepare risotto (and have the hot water available, just in case).
• In another pot (the one you will use for risotto), saute the onion and garlic in 2 tbs butter, until onion is translucent.
• Add the rice, and coat well, cooking another minute or so.
• Add reserved corn kernels.
• Add the hot broth to the rice/corn mix, one or two ladles at a time, stirring very frequently.
• Add more broth as it is absorbed by the rice.
• Continue this way for about 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked but"al dente", in a creamy base of"sauce".
• *ORsee optional method of cooking, below.
• If rice isn't done after using all the corn stock, continue to cook using hot water, 1/2 cup at a time.
• When rice is done to taste, add the remaining butter, cheese or cream, and taste again for salt and pepper.
• Serve at once.
• *Optional"cheater's"method of cooking risotto: Add 1/2 the hot stock to rice (and hold back the kernels); stir only occasionally.
• When stock is absorbed, add kernels and rest of stock, stirring enough to avoid rice sticking to bottom.
• Continue as above.
• For vegetarians use vegetable stock.