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Test Kitchen Approved

End-of-Summer Corn

Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

About

Alas! Summer may be coming to an end... but that is no excuse not to celebrate the warm weather while it's still here! End-of-Summer Corn is just the dish for the occasion! The corn is sweet and spicy, infused with rich butter and fragrant, and just perfect for topping with all your Tex-Mex favorites — salty cotija cheese, tangy lime mayo, and vibrant salsa! Whatever you love about summer, you can find it in End-of-Summer Corn!

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Ingredients

  • For the corn:
  • 4 ears fresh corn, preferably yellow
  • 1 dried pulla, puya, or small guajillo chile, may substitute 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more, to taste
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • Optional, for topping:
  • 3 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup Mexican crema
  • 1/3 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 3/4 teaspoon Tajín®
  • lime wedges, to taste
  • hot sauce, to taste
  • cilantro, to taste, chopped

Directions

Step 1 -Remove the husks from the corn ears and rinse off any corn silk.

Step 2 -Pat the ears dry, then cut the kernels off the cobs.

Step 3 -Cut the puya chile pepper open and remove and discard the stem and seeds.

Step 4 -Rinse the chile under cool water and pat it dry with paper towels.

Step 5 -Crush and peel the garlic cloves.

Step 6 -In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of the remaining butter.

Step 7 -Add the garlic to the melted butter and reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 8 -Cook the garlic cloves, while stirring occasionally, until the cloves are golden-brown and fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 9 -Increase the heat to medium.

Step 10 -Add the corn and 3/4 teaspoon of the salt to the garlic mixture and stir to combine.

Step 11 -Add the chile and 2 cups of the water to the saucepan and stir to combine.

Step 12 -Bring the water to a boil.

Step 13 -Cover the saucepan and cook the corn mixture at a rapid simmer, reducing the heat as needed to make sure it does not boil, until the corn is plump and the liquid is a very slightly yellow in color, about 10 minutes.

Step 14 -Uncover the saucepan and simmer until the flavors fully meld together, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 15 -Taste the corn mixture for seasoning and add the extra salt, as needed.

Step 16 -Transfer the corn mixture from the heat.

Step 17 -Optionally, remove and discard the garlic cloves from the corn mixture.

Step 18 -In a small bowl, add the lime juice and the mayonnaise and whisk to combine.

Step 19 -Divide the corn mixture and a little of the cooking liquid between three serving dishes.

Step 20 -Serve with the mayo-lime sauce and your favorite toppings.

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