Vera Cruz Corn
- 4 ears of corn, husked
- Cooking spray, if using the grill
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, plus more as needed
- 5 corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch slices (optional)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 jalapenos, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 2 to 4 tablespoons Chipotle Aioli (recipe follows) or to taste
- 1 cup grated or crumbled queso fresco (about 4 ounces)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 teaspoons minced chipotle in adobo sauce
- Kosher salt to taste
- If grilling the corn, coat the grill grate with cooking spray and prepare a medium-high grill.
- Brush the corn with oil and place it on the grill.
- Cook, turning, until the corn is evenly cooked and browned in spots, 5 to 7 minutes.
- If boiling the corn, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the corn, cover, and remove from the heat.
- Let stand 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drain well.
- When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut it from the cob and set aside.
- If using the tortillas, line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 cup of the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmery and hot but not smoking.
- Add a handful or two of tortilla strips-they can be touching but not overlapping-and fry just until lightly browned around the edges, about 45 seconds.
- Transfer the strips to the paper towel-lined baking sheet, tossing and moving them around so they take on squiggly shapes as they cool and harden.
- Continue in batches until all the tortilla strips are fried, adding more oil to the pan if necessary.
- Set aside.
- In a small, preferably ovenproof, skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and jalapeno and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the corn and tortillas, if using, and toss until warmed through.
- Add a pinch each of salt and pepper, or to taste.
- If necessary, transfer to a small, ovenproof dish.
- Drizzle the aeoli on top and sprinkle with the cheese.
- Place an oven rack 6 inches from the broiler and turn the broiler to high.
- Place the skillet or dish under the broiler and cook until browned and bubbling, about 5 minutes.
- Watch carefully so it does not burn.
- Serve.
- In the work bowl of a food processor, place the egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Process until blended.
- With the food processor running, add the oil just a few drops at a time.
- When the mixture begins to resemble mayonnaise (this will take a while because you're adding the oil so slowly), pour in the remaining oil in a very fine, slow stream.
- If making the aioli to be drizzled over Vera Cruz corn or a salad, thin it if necessary by adding water 1 tablespoon at a time until it is pourable.
- If using as a condiment to be spread or dolloped, it may not need any thinning.
- Add the chipotle and process until well blended.
- Add several pinches of salt to taste.
- Use at once or store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
corn, cooking spray, vegetable oil, corn tortillas, red onion, jalapenos, kosher salt, queso fresco, egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, clove garlic, canola oil, kosher salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/vera-cruz-corn-recipe.html (may not work)