Meatless Monday Roundup: 4 Fresh Corn Recipes
It’s hard to get better than simple corn on the cob, but when you’ve had your fill of it grilled or boiled, with or without butter, there are many other things that you can do with this summer veggie! Corn is one of the starchier vegetables, so some steer clear of it citing health reasons, but it adds a natural sweetness to dishes that doesn’t need a lot of extra work or ingredients to make it delicious. Take advantage of the seasonal vegetable this week, and include it in your easy vegetarian recipes and Meatless Monday meals.
Image: Laura Klein
Spice up the classic corn recipe by adding a variety of compound butters to your corn on the cob. With the choice between spicy olive and blood orange, your family and friends will be pleasantly surprised by how good the traditional recipe can taste. Of course, it’s even better if you fire up the grill and cook your corn outside, to bring out even more of its natural sweetness.
Some parts of the world haven’t gotten quite so lucky as to be blessed with summer weather just quite yet. You can still use seasonal corn, even when it’s a bit chilly outside, in a delicious chipotle-corn soup. This smooth soup has just a hint of spice and smokiness from the chipotles, balanced out by freshness from the addition of scallions.
Recipe from Small Gatherings by Jessica Strand (Egg & Dart Press, May 2013)
Cool down with a raw corn salad with cilantro, lime and jalapeño. This Mexican-influenced dish combines fresh flavors and spices for a delicious salad that’s perfect on its own or as a side to quesadillas or fajitas. Just be sure to use fresh corn when making it, to take full advantage of the sweet flavor of the seasonal veggie when raw.
This Mexican sweet corn cake is usually eaten as a side dish, but it can also be served as a not-too-sweet dessert. Corn flour, cornmeal and fresh corn bring extra corniness to this dish! Roast the corn beforehand to bring out even more of its flavor.
