Grilled Chicken with Fresh Corn Cakes

• YIELD: Makes 4 servings
• HANDS-ON: 15 MINUTES
• TOTAL: 56 MINUTES
• COURSE: Main Dishes

Ingredients

• 3 lemons
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 3 skinned and boned chicken breasts
• 3 ears fresh corn, husks removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (6-oz.) package buttermilk cornbread mix
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 8 cooked thick hickory-smoked bacon slices
• 2 cups loosely packed arugula

Preparation

• 1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Grate zest from lemons to equal 1 Tbsp. Cut lemons in half; squeeze juice from lemons into a measuring cup to equal 1/4 cup.
• 2. Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, next 3 ingredients, and 1 tsp. salt. Reserve 1/4 cup lemon mixture. Pour remaining lemon mixture in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag; add chicken. Seal and chill 15 minutes, turning once. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade.
• 3. Brush corn with 1 Tbsp. olive oil; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp. salt.
• 4. Grill chicken and corn at the same time, covered with grill lid, 20 minutes, turning chicken once and turning corn every 4 to 5 minutes. Remove chicken, and cover. Hold each grilled cob upright on a cutting board, and carefully cut downward, cutting kernels from cob.
• 5. Stir together cornbread mix and 2/3 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. Stir in basil and 1 cup grilled corn kernels. Pour about 1/4 cup batter for each corn cake onto a hot, lightly greased griddle. Cook cakes 3 to 4 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry and cooked; turn and cook other side.
• 6. Thinly slice chicken. To serve, place 2 corn cakes on each plate, top with chicken and 2 bacon slices. Toss arugula with reserved lemon mixture. Place arugula on bacon, and sprinkle with corn kernels.

Southern Living JULY 2011

Grilled Steak-Corn-Spinach Salad

• YIELD: Makes 6 servings
• HANDS-ON: 30 MINUTES
• TOTAL: 30 MINUTES
• COURSE: Main Dishes, Salads

Ingredients

• 2 pounds rib-eye steak
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 ears fresh corn, husks removed
• 1 (5-oz.) package fresh baby spinach
• 2 ripe avocados, thinly sliced
• 1 red grapefruit, sectioned
• Bottled peppercorn Ranch dressing

Preparation

• 1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Rub steak with 2 Tbsp. olive oil and next 3 ingredients. Brush corn with remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil.
• 2. Grill steaks and corn at the same time, covered with grill lid, 7 to 8 minutes, turning steak once and turning corn every 4 to 5 minutes. Let steak stand 10 minutes.
• 3. Meanwhile, hold each grilled cob upright on a cutting board, and carefully cut downward, cutting kernels from cob. Discard cobs. Thinly slice steak.
• 4. Layer spinach, grilled corn kernels, steak, avocados, and grapefruit on serving plates. Serve with bottled Ranch dressing.

Southern Living JULY 2011 p. 124

Tortellini-and-Tomato Salad

INGREDIENTS

• 2 (9-oz.) packages refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper

PREPARATION

• 1. Prepare tortellini according to package directions.
• 2. Meanwhile, process olive oil and next 5 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Toss olive oil mixture with hot cooked tortellini, tomatoes, and next 3 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

KITCHEN NOTE:

It makes way to much dressing for the amount of pasta, I would recommend cutting it in half, or saving half of it away to make another salad with- with the price of EVOO best to save it back when you can!

Recipe is from Southern Living, July 2011 p. 127

Sweet Corn Tomalito

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup masa harina
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons milk

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the margarine, masa flour, and sugar until light and fluffy. In a food processor or blender, blend one cup of the corn kernels with the water and cornmeal just until smooth. Stir into the masa mixture. Mix in the remaining corn, baking powder, salt, and milk until the batter is smooth. Pour into an 8x8 inch glass baking dish.
2. Place the baking dish over a large saucepan of simmering water. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, and steam for 50 to 60 minutes, or until firm. Check water occasionally, and refill if necessary. Stir pudding before serving to give it a consistent texture. Serve in small scoops.

Fresh Summer Corn Salad with Creamy Italian Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 8 ears corn-on-the-cob*
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 small zucchini, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 
  
• Directions

1. Combine vinegar, olive oil, Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, garlic and Italian seasoning in small bowl with wire whisk. Season, if desired, with salt and pepper; set aside.
2. Bring large saucepot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add corn and cook 3 minutes; drain and cool. Remove kernels (about 4 cups) from cob with knife. Combine cooled corn, onion and 1/4 cup vinaigrette in medium bowl. Gently fold in tomatoes, zucchini and basil. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Serve at room temperature.

Herbed Corn

Ingredients

• 12 cups frozen corn
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dill weed
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine corn and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-6 minutes or until corn is tender. Drain; stir in the remaining ingredients.