Introduction
Corn is a popular staple food all over the world. It is not just tasty but also a versatile ingredient in many recipes – from savory dishes to sweet treats. Cream corn is a simple yet delicious recipe, but many people struggle to make it just right. In this article, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to make cream corn using fresh corn kernels or canned ones without fail.
Step-by-Step Guide
Ingredients:
- 1 can of corn (or 4 fresh corns stripped off the cob)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
Process:
- If using fresh corn, husk the corn and strip the kernels off the cob. If using canned corn, drain the water and rinse the corn with cold water.
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized pan over medium heat until it starts to foam.
- Add the corn kernels and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to brown and become fragrant. Remember to stir the corn occasionally to prevent it from burning at the bottom.
- Add ¼ cup of heavy cream or whole milk to the pan while stirring continuously for another 2-3 minutes.
- Optionally, add two tablespoons of sugar to the mixture and continue to stir.
- Finally, add salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with some thyme or rosemary sprigs (optional) and serve hot.
Tips:
- If using fresh corn, try to use the young ones which are sweeter and more tender.
- You can also use a mixture of heavy cream and chicken/veggie stock to reduce the fat content and richness of the dish.
- For a vegan version, switch the butter with vegan butter or olive oil and use almond milk or coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Try adding diced bell peppers, roasted poblano peppers, garlic, or onion for additional flavors.
- To make the presentation fancier, blitz half of the cooked corn mixture in a blender and then mix it back with the rest of the cooked corn before serving.
Infographic Recipe
For an easier way to follow along, check out our infographic recipe below.
[Insert infographic]
Health-Conscious Approach
Most people are becoming more health-conscious and prefer to opt for healthier options. If you’re one of them, here’s a lighter version of the cream corn recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 can of corn (or 4 fresh corns stripped off the cob)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- ¾ cup of unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Process:
- Follow the same process as mentioned in the original recipe to cook the corn kernels.
- Melt the butter or oils in a separate pan over medium heat and whisk in the flour for a minute until bubbly and fragrant.
- Add the almond milk or low-fat milk and stir continuously for a minute or two until it starts to thicken.
- Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness (optional).
- Add the cooked corn kernels to the thickened mixture and mix well.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh herbs or chopped green onions.
Exotic Variations
To take things a notch higher, here are some exotic variations to the classic cream corn recipe which will add a kick of flavor to your dish.
Creamed corn with spicy toppings:
- Add diced jalapenos, red bell peppers, or serrano peppers to the cooked corn mixture.
- Sprinkle some chili powder, paprika, or cumin seeds over the top of the dish for an added spicy punch.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, crumble some queso fresco or cotija cheese over the top after garnishing.
Corn soup:
- Blend half of the cooked corn mixture in a blender until smooth and mix it back with the rest of the corn.
- In a separate pot, melt butter or olive oil and sauté some minced garlic and chopped onions until fragrant.
- Add the blended corn mixture and some vegetable or chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Simmer the soup for 10-15 minutes until it thickens and becomes creamy.
- Serve hot garnished with some roasted corn kernels and a dollop of sour cream.
Corn as a Key Ingredient
Corn is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes. Here are some other delicious recipes to try using corn as a key ingredient:
Corn and cheese fritters:
- Mix the cooked corn kernels with some grated cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together some eggs, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
- Combine the corn mixture with the egg mixture and make small patties out of it.
- Fry the patties in a pan until golden brown on each side and serve hot with some dipping sauce.
Spicy corn pudding:
- Mix egg yolks, cream corn, whole corn kernels, diced jalapenos, and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk together the egg whites until they start to stiffen.
- Combine the egg yolk mixture with the egg whites until smooth.
- Add some seasoned breadcrumbs and butter into the mixture and bake for 45 minutes at 350 °F.
- Serve hot garnished with chopped thyme or paprika.
Conclusion
Cream corn is a simple recipe, but with a few tricks, you can make it taste amazing. Infographics, health-conscious alternatives, and exotic variations make it even more exciting to try out. Exploring different ways to use corn as the key ingredient in a variety of recipes is a real treat for your taste buds. Try out these recipes and remember that the only limit is your imagination.
