As we celebrate Guilford Local Food Week at the Market, we are also celebrating the end of summer corn! Natalie Foster, of Cornerstone Garlic Farm, led us in a cooking demonstration that included how to easily cut corn from the cob (using a sharp knife and a bundt pan), how to freeze it for winter dishes like Tex Mex Tacos and use it fresh for Corn Cob Chowder.
Corn Cob Chowder
12 ears of fresh corn, cut off the cob (save the cobs!)
4 cups of diced vegetables (any seasonal medley you choose, including peppers, radishes, turnips, etc)
2 pounds of potatoes, diced
1 head garlic, separated in cloves and peeled
1 onion, 1/2 diced
2-3 celery stalks, diced
1-2 strips of bacon, diced
Seasoned salt
Milk or cream, to taste
In large 6 or 8 qt pot, add corn cobs, 2-3 garlic cloves and 1/4 – 1/2 of onion (no need to cut, will be removing later). Cover with water and boil for at least 15 minutes. While cobs come to boil, dice vegetables including rest of garlic and onion.
In separate pan, add bacon over medium heat. When it begins to render fat, add diced vegetables and sauteed until lightly cooked. You can remove bacon at any time or include in recipe.
Remove cobs and vegetables from stock. Bring back to boil, add 1 tbp seasoned salt, potatoes and diced potatoes. When potatoes are cooked through (10-15 minutes), add 2-4 cups of corn. Cooked for 5 more minutes. Add milk or cream to serve.
Tex Mex Skillet for Tacos or Nachos
- Fast, one pan family meal!
1-2 tbsp olive oil
2-4 cups season vegetables (corn, peppers, onion, radish, etc)
1-2 tbsp Tex Mex seasoning mix
1 pound lead ground meat (beef, pork, chicken or turkey work well) or diced chicken
1 can black beans
Garnish – chopped tomatoes, green onion, sour cream, shredded cheese, chips
Add olive to large, shallow pan. Saute vegetables and add 1 tbsp Tex Mex seasoning mix. Once softened, remove from pan.
Add ground meat to the pan with additional 1 tbsp Tex Mex seasoning. Cook until meat is done, drain fat. Add vegetables back in with black beans. Heat until warmed through.
Serve with tortillas or chips, topped with seasonal garnish and enjoy!