Mexican Blackened Corn Food

DECONSTRUCTED MEXICAN STYLE CORN

Steps:

• For the chipotle salt: Combine the chipotle powder and salt and store in an airtight container.
• For the corn: Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat until hot, and then add the corn and char on all sides, turning occasionally, until blackened in parts, 12 to 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off the cobs. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat and saute the onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the charred corn kernels and cook until warmed. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese, the mayonnaise, cilantro and lime zest. Season with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the chipotle salt. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cotija cheese and more chipotle salt.

SPICY BLACK BEAN AND CORN TACOS

Steps:

• Toast hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice corn off cobs into a large bowl (you should have about 2 cups kernels). Add toasted nuts and seeds, jalapeño, red pepper, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup oil, 3 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt; toss to combine.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring, until onion starts to release moisture and turns translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add beans, cumin, 1/3 cup water, and remaining 3/4 tsp. salt. Cover and cook until liquid is reduced and beans soften, about 5 minutes. Uncover, add 1/3 cup water, and use the back of a fork to mash up about half of beans.
• Working one at a time, warm tortillas with tongs directly over a gas burner over medium heat, turning often, until lightly charred and puffed in spots, about 45 seconds per side. (Alternatively, wrap tortillas in foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave in 20-second bursts until warm.) Transfer to a plate and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.
• Whisk sour cream and remaining 2 Tbsp. lime juice in a small bowl. Fill tortillas with bean mixture, then top with corn salsa, avocado, and cilantro leaves. Drizzle with sour cream mixture and serve with lime wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Corn salsa and beans can be made 3 days ahead; store separately, cover, and chill. Bring corn salsa to room temperature. Reheat beans in skillet before serving.

MEXICAN BLACKENED CORN

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. When cool, chop the bacon.
• Place the kernels of corn into a large skillet over high heat, and sprinkle the cumin, sea salt, and cayenne pepper over the corn. Turn the corn gently over with a spatula as it cooks, then stir in the onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Stir the corn mixture every few minutes, until it begins to stick in the pan. Pour the beer into the pan to help unstick the corn, stir, and cook until the corn is dark with very dark spots, and the onion and red bell pepper are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and sprinkle with chopped bacon, cotija cheese, and cilantro.

MEXICAN CORN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss well.
• Cover and chill approximately 8 hours.
• Stir well before serving.

BLACKENED CORN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat your grill to medium (gas grill).
• Brush the corn with some of the olive oil (reserve the rest) and roast on the grill until softened and nicely browned and charred in spots, about 30 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Cut the kernels off the cob into a medium-sized bowl.
• Add all remaining ingredients, including the remaining olive oil, mix well and serve.

SKILLET MEXICAN STREET CORN

Steps:

• Heat a 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the skillet. Spread frozen corn evenly across the skillet; do not stir. Cook corn for approximately 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and coriander in a large bowl. Set aside.
• Check the corn; it should be slightly charred. If not, allow to continue cooking for 4 more minutes (stirring is fine at this point.)
• Once corn is sufficiently browned/charred, transfer to the bowl with dressing and toss to coat. Add cotija cheese, red onion, and cilantro and mix until well combined. Serve immediately.

MEXICAN CORN RELISH

Steps:

• Cook ears of corn in boiling salted water for 4 minutes.
• Remove and plunge in ice water to cool, strain and cut corn from the cob.
• You want 10 cups.
• Combine corn with remaining ingredients in a large pot and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Immediately pack into clean hot pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space; seal.
• Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.