Summer Corn...joy in the simple things!

“A light wind swept over the corn, and all nature laughed in the sunshine” Oh - Anne Bronte, I know you are speaking to me!  This very quote was resonating with me as I drove the car “with no top”,   to pick up fresh sweet corn… from our *Farmers Market.  No…not the Farmers Market where all gather with varying produce…but the actual Farmers Stand,  featuring what we believe is the *finest corn in the world!  (why not think big!)

Sometimes it truly is the simple things in life that bring us all great pleasure.  Let’s talk Summer Corn, that sweet, white and yellow, fresh from the Farmer’s Stand “Sweet Corn”.  In our home it was traditionally eaten with butter and a little salt, simply delicious! In my time In Mexico, I was treated to roasted corn spread with Chili Mayo and Lime, and my palate has never been the same…and this month in our Al Fresco Dining Classes we celebrated Sweet Corn (from *Hahn’s Farm in Huron Ohio) in our “Jumpin Corn Salad” The fresh Farm Corn was too wonderful to cook, it begged to be eaten just out of the husk.  So we complied, we took those sweet kernels and gave them a little sugar, spice and everything nice (excuse me…childhood rhymes again!)  The result was a wonderful salad that had our guest raving!  Honestly, our July Al Fresco Menu was wonderfully fresh, grill ready and intensely flavorful.  So with all those flavors flying round the table… what dish stole the show?  It was the corn…the simple, but brilliant summer’s corn. So can we take credit with our recipe?  I think not, I think we thank the Hahn’s Family Farm, and all the wonderful Farmers we are blessed to receive Bounty from. Here is our thanks for your labors, our joy in your gifts…and our recommendation for  “Playing with your Food”.

Here is hoping you are enjoying the simple things!  Recipe is our gift to you all.

JUMPIN CORN SALAD

6 ears corn, shucked

 1/2 cup red onion, small-diced

 1/2 cup red pepper, small-diced
 3 Tbsp champagne vinegar

 3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp Lime Juice

 1/2 tsp salt,

1/2 tsp black pepper
¼ tsp chili powder

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves – slice thinly
1 Jalapeno finely diced, remove all seeds
1 Hot Red Pepper…optional,
*Use the hot Peppers to elevate the heat/spice to make it “Jumpin for You!”

Cut the (uncooked) kernels off of the fresh corn, cutting close to the cob. Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the red onions, red peppers, vinegar, olive oil, salt, Lime Juice, chili powder and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil, jalapenos if desired… just before serving. Taste for seasonings, especially salt and pepper.   Serve cold or at room temperature.
PS …JUST SO YOU DON’T think we are totally purist, here is another favorite quote about a decadent, corn…. “All the candy corn that was ever made was made in 1911” -Lewis Black, ..
Hold on Fall we are coming to get you!