16 Unique Ways to Cook With Corn Before Summer Is Over
If you haven’t bitten into some crazy-good grilled corn recently, you need to get on that stat — sweet summer corn is one of the most anticipated veggies of the season. Sure, we love allgrilled vegetables, but there’s nothing else out there that leaves our mouths burnt solely because we can’t wait for it to cool down before sinking our teeth into it. The thing is, after slathering our cobs with soft butter and sprinkling it with salt and pepper, it’s easy to forget how versatile corn really is. But no more! When you head out this weekend and shop the farmers’ market like a chef, go ahead and stuff your tote with ALL the corn — ’cause we’ve got 16 ways to use it that will simply a-maize you.
1. Corn Chowder: One of the best ways to use up veggies before they spoil is to throw them into a nourishing pot of soup. With only four ears of fresh corn, you can be chowing down on this creamy and flavorful chowder in no time. And if you’re not sold already, know that BACON is involved. (via Beyond the Chicken Coop)
2. Mexican Rice Stuffed Peppers: If you like to take advantage of #MeatlessMonday, take note. These nourishing peppers are full of veggies and will give you a nice dose of protein. They’re also packed with Mexican-inspired flavors and gooey pepper jack cheese. (via Healthy Nibbles and Bits)
3. Grilled Peach, Corn and Zucchini Quinoa Salad: Sometimes you just want to buckle down with a huge salad. Tossed with a brightly flavored lemon basil vinaigrette, this nutritious bowl boasts some of our fave fruits and veggies (including corn!) mixed with hearty grains. (via The Simple Veganista)
4. Farmers’ Market Cornbread: Cutting into soft, warm and pillowy cornbread is always a total treat. Then again, having it topped with fresh, delicious farmers’ market goodies is just that much better. (via House of Yumm)
5. Buttermilk Summer Slaw With Blueberries and Corn: Coleslaw is a pretty mundane thing. It’s never memorable and you can hardly tell one slaw from the next — that is, until you bring this one to the table. With blueberries and corn, this slaw just might be the talk of the tablescape! (via A Salad for All Seasons)
6. Spicy Sautéed Corn Salad: The sweet and savory flavors in this fresh corn salad make it a great salsa alternative or topper for mixed greens. It’s also delicious on its own, so go ahead — grab a spoon and dig in! (via Two of a Kind Cooks)
7. Baked Mexican Street Corn: Inspired by a Mexican food cart, these “elotes” are baked to perfection and then smothered with a rich and creamy sauce. To finish, they’re sprinkled with smoked paprika and feta cheese. Basically, get ready for a fiesta in your mouth. (via Homemade Hooplah)
8. Zucchini, Asparagus and Corn Summer Pasta: A summer pasta is always a gorgeous pasta — light on sauce and big on color and flavor. This dish brings broiled corn and zucchini together in a lemony sauce for a truly market-inspired dish. (via Faring Well)
9. Crispy Caribbean Chicken and Rice Bowls With Grilled Corn Salsa: When you want to keep things simple but well-balanced, there’s nothing better than a rice bowl full of healthy grub. So grab a bowl, throw your feet up and delve into the good stuff. (via Simply Delicious Food)
10. Buttery Skillet Corn: Sometimes it’s best to enjoy your fave veg in its simplest and most undisturbed form. Frying kernels in butter until they’re slightly crisp allows you to enjoy their natural sweetness with no distraction. (via Build Your Bite)
11. BBQ Steak Nachos: Who doesn’t love a mountain of nachos piled high with smokey meats, stretchy cheeses and sweet veggies? These bad boys are sprinkled with grilled corn for that extra touch of summer. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)
12. Zucchini and Summer Squash Tart With Corn and Mozzarella: Summer tarts are outstanding — no question about it. They’re also more commonly filled with seasonal fruits, which makes this one extra intriguing with its layers of zucchini, summer squash, corn and mozzarella. (via The Wimpy Vegetarian)
13. Elote Corn and Chicken Quesadillas: In a smart effort to create a lighter, deconstructed version of the beloved (but heart attack-inducing) Mexican street corn, this recipe folds the pieces together in a corn tortilla. Still creamy, still cheesy and still *mega* delicious. (via Feed Me Phoebe)
14. Easy Tinfoil Sausage and Veggies Dinner: When it comes to a quick, nutritious and delicious meal, it’s hard to beat the convenience of throwing everything into a tinfoil pouch. Not only is it efficient and mess-free, but all the flavors intermingle, which results in a flavor packet that will blow ya mind! (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)
15. Spaghetti With Fresh Corn and Clams: This is a lighter take on linguini with clam sauce. The pasta is tossed in wine, garlic and butter while embracing the natural sweetness of fresh clams and crisp corn kernels. (via Mantitlement)
16. Enchilada Stuffed Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: These grilled portobellos are the perfect solution for when you’re craving enchiladas, but not craving the heavy meats and carbs that usually come with them. Filled with protein, juicy corn kernels and gooey cheese, they’ll keep you full and plenty satisfied. (via Sweet Peas and Saffron)
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