Cooks Illustrated All-Purpose cornbread

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1.5 cups all purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tsp baking powder
.75 tsp table salt
.25 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
.75 cup frozen corn, thawed
.25 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Preheat oven to 400F.

Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl and make a well in the center

In a food processor, process the corn, buttermilk, and brown sugar just until combined, about 5 seconds. Add the eggs and process to combine, another 5 seconds. You should still have corn lumps.

Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and fold it in with a rubber spatula until barely combined. Add the melted butter and continue folding until the dry ingredients are just barely moistened.

Pour the batter into a sprayed or buttered 8×8 glass baking dish, or as I did, a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Bake 25-30 minutes or until it’s a deep golden brown and passes the toothpick test in the center.

Tina’s notes:

The cast iron, being dark metal, cooks faster so start checking at 20 minutes. It gives a marvelous crust on top and all around the sides of the cornbread!

In spite of the sugar, which made me nervous because I prefer savory rather than sweet bread, the results are perfectly balanced, not too sweet at all.

Corn-and-Cod Chowder from food & wine

This New England-style chowder is a comfort-food classic. The soup needs only bread, or traditional oyster crackers, as an accompaniment.
original

1/4 pound sliced bacon omit
1 tablespoon butter
2 onions, chopped
2 cups water
1 cup bottled clam juice
3/4 pound boiling potatoes (about 2), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1 rib celery, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried red-pepper flakes
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 cups fresh (cut from about 3 ears) or frozen corn kernels
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 pounds cod fillets, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

In a large pot, add the butter and onions to the pot. Cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the water, clam juice, potatoes, celery, red-pepper flakes, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Add the corn, milk, and cream and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the cod and pepper. Bring back to a simmer and cook until just done, about 3 minutes longer.

NOTES Fish Alternatives Use a relatively firm, mild fish that won’t disintegrate in the soup, such as pollack, orange roughy, or ocean perch.

CONTRIBUTED BY QUICK FROM SCRATCH FISH & SHELLFISH SERVINGS: 4 FAST With its all-American ingredients,

Black Bean & Corn Salsa from Hellmann’s

BlackBeanCornSalsa1401

  • 1/4 cup Hellmann’s mayo
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 can (19 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (11 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes [or cherry tomatoes]
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp. finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)

  1. Combine Hellmann’s mayo, lime juice and cumin in medium bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Sabrina’s Tacos

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3 large poblano chiles
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large white onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large baking potatoes, peeled, cooked and cubed
1 cup cooked corn kernels
1 cup crema, creme fraiche, or sour cream, optional
Red or green salsa, more crema or crumbled cotija, for garnish
limes

Over a flame, in a broiler, on a grill or in a cast iron skillet on high heat, char skins of chiles until completely black on all sides. Put in a paper or plastic bag to steam for 15 minutes. Remove, then peel or rinse away skin; remove seeds and veins and slice into 1/2-inch-wide by 2-inch-long strips.

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat lard or oil and cook onions, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until translucent and tender. Add chile strips and salt, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, another 3 to 4 minutes.

Add potatoes and corn, and continue cooking for a few minutes, until potatoes are heated through. Check seasonings. If you are using crema, stir in at the last minute or so of cooking. Place in warm tortillas and add condiments as you wish.

Fresh Corn Salad (4-6 servings)

The fresh corn salad is from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.

5 ears of corn, shucked
1/2 cup small diced red onion
3 tbsp cider vinegar
3 tbs good olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup julienned basil leaves or use chopped chives

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.

Beatrice’s notes: The first time I made the salad, I cut the kernels off the cob and then sauted in a pan.  The second time I grilled the corn instead of boiling, then cut the kernels off the cob.  Both were good but I liked the grilled flavour better.  The second time I made the salad I added diced red pepper and substituted chives for the basil.  I liked this better than basil.  I think thyme would also be good.

DMV notes: I used two ears of corn, cooked for 3-4 min, cooled kernels removed. Divided other ingredients by 1/3. Used chives. Very quick, easy and TASTY.

Enjoy!