Sweet Poached Corn Food

SWEET CORN PUDDING

Steps:

• Combine the corn, milk, vanilla bean and seeds (if using) and salt in a medium saucepan. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Immediately reduce the heat to low, partly cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally so the milk doesn't boil over, until the milk is fragrant with corn, about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the corn cobs and enjoy them later as a snack or with dinner, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You should have about 2 cups milk. If needed, add more milk.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and egg yolks. Add about 1/4 cup of the hot corn milk and whisk vigorously until smooth. Add this cornstarch mixture to the large pot of corn milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly until the pudding thickens, bubbles and coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes.
• If using vanilla extract, stir it in now; if you used vanilla bean, remove it. If you have any lumps, pass the pudding mixture through a sieve set over a bowl, discarding any solids.
• Spoon the pudding into individual bowls or cups and enjoy warm, or you can place a sheet of parchment paper directly over the surface of the pudding (so a skin doesn't form), cover and chill in the refrigerator to enjoy cold. The covered pudding will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

MASA CORN CAKES WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• See how to poach eggs
• Make the salsa: Combine the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Make the corn cakes: Warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat just until the butter melts. Combine the masa harina, 1 teaspoon salt, the sugar and queso fresco in a large bowl. Stir in the milk mixture to make a soft dough. Scoop the dough into 8 portions (about 1/4 cup each) and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with another sheet of parchment; press a pan on top to flatten into disks.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the corn cakes until crisp and golden on the bottom, about 3 1/2 minutes; flip, press lightly with a spatula and cook until golden on the other side. Continue with the remaining cakes, adding more oil as needed. Season the cakes with salt; place on a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you poach the eggs.
• Bring a deep pan of water to a simmer over medium-low heat; add the vinegar. Poach the eggs.
• Divide the corn cakes among 4 plates; top each cake with a poached egg, salsa and cheese; serve with avocado.

SWEET CORN SPOONBREAD WITH SMOTHERED SHRIMP, POACHED EGGS, AND FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the Fried Green Tomatoes: Soak tomatoes in milk. Mix cornmeal and flour. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. In a large saute pan over medium-high heat add butter. Dredge tomatoes in a cornmeal until completely covered. Carefully place tomatoes in a saute pan and fry for 2 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper towel; season with fresh cracked pepper.
• For the Sweet Corn Spoonbread: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring to a boil one-cup of milk; add corn and cornmeal, stirring constantly, and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the fire and beat in butter, sugar, salt, and the remaining milk. The cold milk should cool the mixture. Beat egg yolks. In a separate bowl, beat whites until stiff, then fold the stiffly beaten whites into egg yolks. Add to cooled milk mixture. Pour the mixture into a buttered dish and bake for 30 minutes.
• For the Smothered Shrimp: In a medium saute pan over high heat add butter and saute the shrimp. When the shrimp are slightly pink, add the onions and garlic and saute until translucent. Dust with flour and stir well incorporated to a paste. Add chicken stock 1 cup at a time working, with a wooden spoon. When gravy is formed, season with salt and pepper, and finish with chopped parsley.
• For the Poached Eggs: Bring water to a boil; add vinegar and salt. Crack 2 eggs and poach for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon.
• To Assemble: In a soup bowl, scoop a small amount of spoonbread into the center. Top with poached eggs and garnish with shrimp and chopped parsley.

SWEET POACHED CORN

Steps:

• In a medium-sized saucepan, combine all ingredients.
• Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for about 10 - 15 minutes or until corn is heated through, stirring frequently.
• Strain corn with a slotted spoon, as you serve.

SWEETCORN FRITTERS WITH EGGS & BLACK BEAN SALSA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a large baking tray with baking parchment.
• Heat the oil in a small pan and fry the onion and pepper for 5 mins until softened. Meanwhile, mix the flour, spices and baking powder in a bowl. Add the onions, pepper, corn and 2 of the eggs, then mix together well.
• Spoon eight mounds of the mixture onto the baking tray, well spaced apart, then flatten slightly with the back of the spoon. Bake for 20 mins until set and golden.
• Meanwhile, mix together the salsa ingredients and poach 2 of the remaining eggs to your liking. If you're following our Healthy Diet Plan, serve four fritters on the day you make them, topped with half the salsa and the poached eggs. Chill the remaining fritters for another day. Reheat them in a pan or microwave and serve with 2 more poached eggs and the remaining salsa.

SWEETCORN & COURGETTE FRITTERS

Steps:

• Mix the sweetcorn, spring onions, courgette, paprika, flour, beaten egg, milk and some seasoning in a large bowl and set aside.
• Put a large pan of water on to boil. In a bowl, mix the chilli sauce with the lime juice and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large, non-stick pan and spoon in four burger-sized mounds of the fritter mixture, spaced apart (you may need to do this in two batches). When brown on the underside, turn over and cook for 3 mins more until golden.
• Meanwhile, poach the eggs in the simmering water for 2-3 mins until cooked and the yolks are runny. Remove with a slotted spoon. Serve the fritters topped with a poached egg, mixed leaves and a drizzle of the chilli dressing.