Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Elote - Mexican Corn on the Cob



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Elote, or Mexican corn on the cob, is a treat that I should make more often for my family. While it will never replace the spare glory of corn that's been freshly picked and steamed, this spicy treat, hawked by vendors in Mexico and the desert Southwest, is a real palate pleaser. While elote is usually grilled, it can be steamed or broiled before it is slathered with a mixture of butter, real mayonnaise and lime juice. The final fillip, applied just before serving, is a liberal sprinkling of cotija cheese and cayenne pepper. Cotija is a semi-hard and crumbly cheese that resembles Parmesan. It is used to add some saltiness and texture to the finished ears of corn. The corn is best served piping hot and all the condiments should be applied to it while the kernels are still warm enough to bathe in the butter and mayonnaise as they melt. I must admit to a bit of theme and variation when I make this. Rather than sprinkle the corn with cayenne pepper, which I find very harsh, I add a half teaspoon of mashed chipotle in adobo to the mayonnaise called for in the recipe. It adds gentle fire to the corn and I find it more pleasing to the tongue than cayenne. I also steam the corn when I make this recipe. I've found that's the best way to get consistently moist corn. I hope you'll give this a try. The classic recipe, sans my changes, appears below.

Elote - Mexican Corn on the Cob...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
4 cobs of corn
2 tablespoons of butter
4 tablespoons of mayonnaise
4 lime wedges
1/2 cup of cotija cheese, crumbled
Cayenne to taste

Directions:
1) About 1 hour before cooking, soak unhusked corn in water.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. When hot, drain corn and cook in husks for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes.
3) Pull husk layers down, leaving them attached to base of the cob, which can act as a handle.
If you like blackened corn, place under broiler for five minutes, I personally find this dries the corn, but this is really a matter of individual preference.
4) While corn is warm, spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on each cob. Sprinkle each ear with 2 tablespoons cheese and some cayenne pepper. Squirt lime juice all over cob. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.







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68 comments :

Anonymous said...

What a great way to prepare corn on the cob! I love the kick from the cayenne pepper!

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

looks awesome dear..
n u really made my heart swing with ur inspiring feedback in my space..thank you..:)

Tasty Appetite

teresa said...

My daughter has been making Elote for several months now after watching them in the Mexican market near our home. The sell it in a cup and call it 'corn in a cup'.

The way they do it in the market is boiling the corn, then spread the Goya mayonnaise (distinctly different taste from Bast Foods)all over the cob. Sprinkle with shredded cotija cheese and a lime/paprika seasoning that she picked up at the market. Then cut it off the cob, put it in the cup or bowl and put a glob of squeezable parkey on top, mix it all up and serve.

SOOOOOOOooooo good. I am not supposed to eat corn at all but I really do enjoy this.

Lifewithspices said...

wow this is a simple n yummy one.. In Chennai(india)these corn cobs are sold in beaches in a similar way..i love them

Unknown said...

I'm drooling!

sangeeta said...

Such mist and fresh looking corn on the cobs ...i would love the cayenne pepper and lime juice over the creamy spread...

mia maria said...

This sounds so delicious, Mary!
Corn on the cob is not something we use to eat here!

Priya Suresh said...

Feel like having those corn on the cob, irresistible..

Anonymous said...

I often add chilli to my corn, but have never tried lime which I am going to do next time I cook some. Have a super Tuesday :)

Maris(In Good Taste) said...

Oh boy does this look good!

Katarina said...

Looks yummy! I love the raspberry & white chocolate ice cream!

Sanjeeta kk said...

Yum treat for all corn lovers..love it!

Suman Singh said...

Love this anytime..what a great way to eat corn on the cob..simply delicious!

Lynn said...

Sounds great Mary, corn's just starting to be nice too:@)

Clint said...

ummmmmmmmmmmm........

Red Nomad OZ said...

What a wonderful recipe to welcome my return to blogland after a period of internet incommunicado!!! Corn is my favourite veggie - I SO look forward to trying this one out!!

Thanx for visiting my blog - glad you liked the emu story!!!

Have a great day!!

Tanna said...

Looks devine!! I love the kick of cayenne, but the subtle, smoky heat of chipotle is my favorite. Thank you so much, Mary. Have a wonderful day. blessings ~ Tanna

Lenia said...

It looks fantastic!Well done,dear Mary!

StephenC said...

I am more familiar with this as "corn in a cup" which we got at a Mexican place near our home when we were in Denver. They used parmesan. Once again I have to ask if you will consider using a font that is not tilted. I struggle reading it.

Xinmei @ Pudding Pie Lane said...

A great addition to the tradition butter on corn on the cob, I love it!

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

Corn's not quite ready here yet . . . will have to try. I like steaming corn, too. I have tried lime butter and know I would like the added kick of some kind of hot pepper. Thanks for the inspiration. BTW, you also inspired me to make your asparagus pesto. Delightful! (Have to admit, Mr. Rosemary turned up his nose at it.)

Unknown said...

My friend made this for a gathering and never passed on the recipe. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

Corn's not quite ready here yet . . . will have to try. I like steaming corn, too. I have tried lime butter and know I would like the added kick of some kind of hot pepper. Thanks for the inspiration. BTW, you also inspired me to make your asparagus pesto. Delightful! (Have to admit, Mr. Rosemary turned up his nose at it.)

Jocie's Mom said...

Oh! I miss this! I used to get this at the Texas State Fair. Nice switch out with the cayenne for the chipotle, save from tastebuds from a scorching :)

Unknown said...

I love making Mexican corn. We do it a lot around our house. It's funny, I grew up in Nebraska where if you put anything on the corn, it was butter..a little salt and pepper. Now as I have gotten older I love try adding new flavors to the corn... it's fun!

Pam said...

Mary, your Mexican corn looks great! Here in the midwest, it's just butter and salt, so this is a must try! Sadly, our local corn will be late this year due to all the rain.

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you - I have a ton of corn in the fridge and didn't have any inspiration - you have just given it to me!
Mary

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

lime and mayo sound like a great tasting combo for this I love the heat too.. nice job, will try for the 4th perfect timing!

MijĂº said...

Te quedaron bien.
Me encantan comerlas en los puestos callejeros a las brasas.
Un saludito

Peggy said...

I've seen this often, but I think I'm usually strayed by the mayo that's in it. Think I might have to buck up and give it a go, because I love all of the other flavors that this includes!

Banana Wonder said...

Love the elote! So simple and so delicious.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Mary, Mary, Mary... you sweet heart! I just got accepted to this month's 24X24 (Foodbuzz). My task is a day at the Farmer's market and lunch afterwards. These are on my menu now (but grilled) for this weekend.

lena said...

simple and the addition of cheese and cayenne sounds yummy!

Faith said...

I've seen Mexican Corn on the Cob before but I've never made it myself...I need to, this looks really delicious! Thanks for the recipe, Mary. Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Food Glorious Food! said...

I love corn but never this way... so excited to try soon! Thanks for sharing and have a good week!

Marmande in the Kitchen said...

Elote has been on my to-make list for a few years, but somehow every summer goes by without me having made it. This is great inspiration to actually make it this summer!

Anna's kitchen table said...

Oh my gosh that sounds so wickedly good!

Rita said...

It will be a while before we have fresh corn in our area. This one sounds and looks fantastic.
Rita

Gloria Baker said...

amazing!!! love the pictures Mary, Blessings! gloria

Gen said...

That looks really amazing!!!!

Wendy Irene said...

I've never tried cooking corn in the husks before! I am really excited about it. What a fun new thing to try. Thank you :)

Nathalia said...

Muy buena la historia. Las fotos son bellas y el maiz me encanta.
Un abrazo y que tengas una linda semana.

Joanne said...

I had elote for the first time earlier this year and absolutely fell in love! So glad I can recreate it now with this recipe!

Allison said...

I love corn this way but, have never been able to recreate it at home. I love your tips of steaming and the chipotle. What a treat this would be if I could get mine to look and taste like yours.

Rambling Tart said...

I'm SO happy you posted this recipe, Mary! I've long wished to know how to make this type of thing and now I can! HOORAY! :-)

Shawn said...

I wish that I had a piece right now...looks incredibly delicious!

Thanks for your kind comments and for visiting ShawnsPlate :)

Melissa @IWasBornToCook said...

I love this and am always looking for new ways to prepare corn on the cob. Thanks for sharing!

briarrose said...

Oh my....I love corn on the cob and this looks fabulous.

LinksZee said...

mmmm a different way to eat corn on the cob. looks good!

A Bitchin' Kitchen said...

This looks delicious! Corn on the cob is one of my favorite summertime foods.

- Maggie

David said...

Mary, Corn on the cob is a true summer treat. Both my wife and I just love fresh sweet corned steamed, slathered in butter with a little salt and peppoer. (We had a cat that loved it too!) In any case, this is a great sounding variation on a simple dish that we love. We will definitely give it a try! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Ginny Hartzler said...

This looks so good, but I have never heard of the cheese you describe. Where would you find such a thing, Whole Foods? oh, I see corn ice-cream below, that should rate an appearance on Top Chef!

Betty @ scrambled henfruit said...

Corn on the cob is my favorite summertime indulgence, and since my brother grows lots of it I always have an abundance. I will have to try it this way! :)

Jen_from_NJ said...

Happy summer Mary! My family loves corn and I can't wait to make this for them. I love the addition of cotija - perfect summer side!

Sue said...

I'm sure my husband would love this Mexican version of corn on the cob, but I'm too whimpy(and I'm even part Mexican:)). Maybe I could just leave off the hot stuff:)

teresa said...

i've seen this made before but i've never had it. the very thought makes my mouth water, YUMM!

Faith said...

This is actually my favorite way to have corn!!! YUM! Sometimes I take it off of the cob and have it on top of burritos. Lavish? Yes a bit. Over the top? Yup. Delish, ABSOLUTLEY!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I'm eagerly awaiting our local corn on the cob...and this looks like a delightful recipe to try. Thanks, Mary...always a pleasure to drop by :)

Holly Henry said...

This looks great Mary! great recipe for the summer!!!!

Thanks for sharing:)

Holly

PeggyR said...

That sounds so different! I will have to give it a try.

JudyBug said...

I love corn...could eat it every day....seriously! Going on my list!

Jeannie said...

Yes,I much prefer to steam the corns too rather than roast so that the corn are still plum and juicy:) I usually slatter on butter and sprinkle pepper powder on the hot corn before serving. Must try this version next time:) Looks good!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I cannot wait for summer corn!!!!!!!!!!!

That Girl said...

Street vendors sell this here, with the corn already removed from the cob in cups for easy street eating.

Amy said...

This looks so delicious! I need to try preparing corn on the cob this way...your photos are beautiful!

Elaine said...

This looks so good. My family will only eat corn on the cob this way. I prefer it the way I have always eaten it - slathered with butter and liberally sprinkled with salt.

Kate @ Demi-Glazed said...

No matter how many times I've had it, in however many places (Japan does it too), I have NEVER gotten used to mayonnaise on corn on the cob! Your version with the adobo makes me want to give it one more try, though...!

sally said...

My mouth is watering just looking at this corn! What a great combination of flavors!

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