Smoky Corn on the Cob - Photo by Con Poulos/FN Magazine
Each year, when corn season arrives, I take my kids to the local market to pick up some fresh ears. I love watching my kids gobble down what they picked out — our favorite is eating fresh corn straight off the cob. I could give you an earful (pun intended) of ways to prepare it, but here are 5 of my favorite ways to enjoy this nutritional powerhouse.
We’re teaming up with other food and garden bloggers to host Summer Fest 2010, a season-long garden party. Each week we’ll feature favorite garden-to-table recipes and tips to help you enjoy the bounty, whether you’re harvesting your own goodies or buying them fresh from the market. To join in, check out awaytogarden.com.
Grilled On the Cob
Eating corn on the cob is pretty much an essential rite of summer, but throw yours on the grill with some smoked paprika and you’ll have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds?).
RECIPE: Smoky Corn on the Cob (pictured)
Soup
One of my all-time favorite soups, creamy corn helps warm me up on a rainy afternoon or cool summer night. Cook up a double batch and freeze half for another time.
RECIPE: Creamy Corn and Vegetable Soup
Raw Corn Salad
Peak season corn is sweet enough to eat raw, without the starchiness of off-season cobs. The fresh corn, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil in this salad create a perfect summer side that’s overflowing with vitamins and minerals, and, of course, flavor.
RECIPE: Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
In Salsa
Looking for a new taco topper? This yummy salsa will do the trick. Salsa also makes a fantastic dip for tortillas or a flavorful topper for omelets (my fave), chicken or fish.
RECIPE: Grilled Corn Salsa
Candied
Yes, candied — it’s the side-dish equivalent of caramel corn! Best of all, this sweet-and-savory candied corn takes 10 minutes to prep.
RECIPE: Candied Corn
More Peak-Season Corn Recipes From Friends and Family:
- Nicole at Pinch My Salt: Creamed Corn with Bacon and Rosemary
- Margaret at A Way to Garden: Vintage corn Americana slideshow, and no-frills creamed corn
- The FN Dish: Creamed Corn-Off: Battle of the Southern Cooks
- Alison at Food2: Freezing Corn
- Toby at Healthy Eats: Candied Corn and 4 other recipes
- Michelle at Cooking Channel: Browsing Corn Porn
- Judy/Tuscan Diva: Fried Polenta Crostini with Porcini Ragu
- Jennifer of Gilded Fork: Corn: Sweet Versatility (history, uses & recipes from cocktails to cornbread
- Chef Mark: Gettin’ Corny! (Musings from childhood, tips & fresh-corn recipes)
- Caron of SanDiegoFoodstuff: Chino Corn Risotto with Chanterelles and Burrata
- Caroline at The Wright Recipes: Pickled Corn with Summer Onion and Basil
- White on Rice Couple: BBQ Chicken and Corn Pizza
- Shauna at Gluten Free Girl: a sweet corn risotto (and how to make corn stock with husks and mirepoix)
- Tigress in a Jam: Cream Corn Scones (the perfect way to use up left over roasted or boiled corn):
- Alana at Eating from the Ground Up: Corn on the Kabob (invented by her artist husband):
- Cate O’Malley at Sweetnicks: Corn and Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Caps
- Kelly at Just a Taste: Caramel Corn (plus pics of corn in its various popping stages)
- Paige Orloff of The Sister Project: Life-Changing Corn Pancakes
- Tara at Tea and Cookies: Farro Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Herbs
- Food Network UK blog: Talking Corn
Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby’s full bio »
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Join the conversation on twitter at #summerfood.
For more corn recipes like Carmelized Corn with Mint, Chilled Corn Soup, Corn Bacon Souffle and Sweet Corn Cupcakes, head over to http://thepolymathchronicles.blogspot.com/2010/08…
I made a corn and green zebra tomato salad in honor of Summer Fest.. http://blog.healthy-green-lifestyle.com/corn-and-green-zebra-tomato-salad.html” target=”_blank”>.http://blog.healthy-green-lifestyle.com/corn-and-green-zebra-tomato-salad.html
Love corn and can't wait to check out all the other recipes this week!
I know this doesn't pertain to the topic, but I have a question which I wasn't able to google the answer to. I was wondering if it is healthier to leave or take off the milk skin that forms when you let heated milk sit. I have heard it is a combination of fat and protein molecules but I'm not sure o? So would it be good or for you?
Also,, you should have a place to ask questions
Yum – summer corn is the best! I made two corn recipes this week:
Corn and tomato gratin: http://4seasonsoffood.blogspot.com/2010/08/corn-a…
Summer succotash: http://4seasonsoffood.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer…
Looking forward to browsing through the recipes
Over at Flexitarian Foodie (www.flexitarianfoodie.com) we've featured a bunch of corn dishes recently!
BBQ Corn: http://www.flexitarianfoodie.com/2010/07/quick-id…
Avocado-Corn Quinoa: http://www.flexitarianfoodie.com/2010/05/avocado-…
Pasta with corn and tomatoes: http://www.flexitarianfoodie.com/2010/05/summer-i…
Nothing's better than fresh summer corn!!
Grilled corn on the cob was one of my favorite things about living in Milwaukee and going to Summerfest – there were grilled corn stands everywhere.
Here’s my entry – Fresh Corn-and-Asiago Cheese Bread Pudding: http://tnlocavore.typepad.com/tennessee_locavore/…
I love all the recipes.
I made Goat Cheese and Roasted Corn Quesadillas at It's The Way She…
Check it out here http://itsthewayshe.blogspot.com/2010/08/ignited-…
What an interesting post! And that list of recipes will keep me occupied for a while . . . This time of year, I can't help but just eat corn straight off the cob most of the time, grilled or steamed, but if I do cook with it, my favorite recipes include:
Calabacitas http://heartlandrenaissance.com/2009/08/calabacit…
Three Sisters Chili, and http://heartlandrenaissance.com/2009/09/three-sis…
Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Soup http://heartlandrenaissance.com/2007/11/green-chi…
A few have been on the blog for a while, but I couldn't help but share them this week for SummerFest! Thank you for hosting!
Best,
Sarah
I love the candied corn recipe. I've posted Thomas Keller's creamed corn recipe here – http://mysocalledknife.com/2010/08/thomas-kellers…
I can't get enough summer sweet corn!
We are enjoying this sweet corn salad: http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/sweet-corn-salad/
I love corn on the cob!
My contribution to the Summer Fest 2010 this week is super easy and quick to make!
http://mypersiankitchen.com/i-say-balal-you-say-c…
CORN!! Loving this week’s them. You can read how Summer Fest inspired me here:
http://onehungrymama.com/2010/08/summer-fest-reci…
My recipe for Grilled Corn Salad with Lime Vinaigrette on Corn Cakes is the first thing I’ve made this year with corn b/c I’ve been too busy eating it straight off the cob. Can’t wait to look around and see what others made this week. Though, who's going to beat CANDIED CORN?!
Amazing… after thousands of years we are still creating recipes around this wonderful food. Here is my contribution to Summerfest 2010 – Corn, Crab and Tomato Salad
Enjoy!
I'm personally a fan of Corn Fritters – just whipped up Jalapeno Corn Fritters w/Sweet Pepper Pineapple Relish and they were dy-no-mite.
http://feastonthecheap.wordpress.com
I am joining the SummerFest party!
Check out my Thai Shrimp & Corn Cakes: http://urbanrecipe.com/2010/08/thai-shrimp-corn-c…
These recipes sound delicious! My contribution to Summerfest is a quick corn and tomato salad.
http://www.thefoodpsychologist.net/thefoodpsych/?…
Enjoy!
I love your site! Here is my post for corn this week for Fresh Corn-Tomato and Basil http://www.ingredientsinc.net/2010/08/summer-fest…
I'm still trying to perfect my grilled corn on the cob.
I've made some Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa to celebrate Summer Fest. Cheers!
Enjoying Summer Fest!
Here is my post about Creamy Corn Soup. http://purplecook.blogspot.com/2010/07/creamy-cor…
Great recipes and ideas at Summer Fest. My contribution to Summer Fest is Tomato, Corn and Onion Salad. http://dejavucook.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/tomato…
i am so thrilled that you put the simple grilled corn at the top. It might not be a favorite to some, but it is to me. The charcoal or wood fire add a depth to the sweetness of the corn and make it a sublime dish.
My contribution to the Summer Fest glorifies the grilled corn, telling a story of first love.
Thanks for so many great corn recipes. I love smoked paprika on my corn…with salt & butter.
Here is my Strawberry, Roasted Corn & Avocado Salsa for Summer Fest:
http://su.pr/1CYkMZ
WOW… good news travels fast. Bloggers galore participating in "Summer Fest" I did a Grilled Corn Serrano Salsa with Lime Cumin Vinaigrette- http://2besatisfied.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-f…
My husband and I just had two ears each the other day for a snack and could have gone for third!!
I wish I had a cooling, Mexican corn salsa, but here's a warming potato-corn-kale chowder recipe I created that is perfectly in season here in chilly old England:
http://veganscene.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/potato…
My favorite mexican corn salsa is so simple…fresh corn, cooked only very slightly and cut off the cobb, 2-3 ears for about 2 cups of salsa…about half a medium onion…I like vidalia…1-2 jalepeno peppers seeded and finely chopped…LOTS of fresh cilantro, pinch of salt, and a little bit of lime juice…I also make this with black beans added…really good with chips or on burritos. (you can also make this with frozen corn…I like the white variety.) Enjoy.
Grilled corn on the cob has to be the food of the gods, with a splash of butter and a tiny bit of salt…mmmmm