Skillet Corn- Easy Side Dish
If you are still looking for side dishes for Thanksgiving here is an easy one. It is fast and adds a little something special to the corn. I like to make it ahead of time and just reheat it when ready to serve. That also saves work on the big day. Sometimes I cook the corn a little longer- until it starts to get some color on it. Makes me think of the taste of corn off the grill. Either way it tastes really good. I always freeze local corn when it is in season- but use what you have. Best made with fresh sweet corn- but that isn’t always around and even made with frozen or canned corn it comes out tasty.
Skillet Corn
1 T. oil
1 sweet pepper, seeded and chopped
4-5 cups corn, fresh, frozen or canned
1½ t. cumin
1/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Heat oil in skillet and add pepper, cooking until they are crisp-tender. Add corn and continue cooking until corn is cooked if using fresh or heated through if using frozen or canned. Add seasonings and heat another minute. Add salt and pepper if needed. Serves 4.
Corn and Zucchini Saute
For those of you looking for another way to use some of those zucchini this dish is really fun and easy. The flavors of the zucchini, corn and peppers work really well together and makes a tasty side dish in just a few minutes.
Quick Corn and Zucchini Sauté
2 sweet peppers, seeded and cut into strips
2 medium zucchini, sliced
Oil
2 c. corn kernels cut from cobs, about 4 ears
1 t. garlic salt*
½ t. Italian seasoning
In oil cook peppers and zucchini until crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and cook 4 more minutes, or until heated through. Serves 6-8.
*Feel free to use 1 teaspoon of salt and some fresh garlic, I often do.
Skillet Corn
Corn on the cob is a favorite of mine. Sometimes it can be messy to serve for guests. This dish gives you all the flavor in a less messy way. I also make this when I cook more corn on the cob than we need and have leftovers. If you are looking for a fast and easy side dish this one is a real winner. Only a few ingredients and ready in no time. I used fresh corn cut off the cob but you could use frozen or canned.
Skillet Corn
1 T. oil
1 sweet pepper, seeded and chopped
4-5 cups corn, fresh, frozen or canned
1½ t. cumin
1/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Heat oil in skillet and add pepper, cooking until they are crisp-tender. Add corn and continue cooking until corn is cooked if using fresh or heated through if using frozen or canned. Add seasonings and heat another minute. Add salt and pepper if needed. Serves 4.
Corn and Ham Saute
Sometimes simple is best. I love sweet corn and had some of last year’s crop in the freezer. I combined it with a few other ingredients and came up with a great side dish. The smokiness of the ham went really well with the corn. Great dish for using up leftover ham, too.
Corn and Ham Saute
1 T. oil
1 small onion, diced
1 c. diced ham
4 c. corn- fresh or frozen
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
In pan cook onion in oil until tender. Add the ham and cook a few minutes longer. Add corn and continue cooking until corn is heated through. Season to taste and serve. Serves 3-4.
Corn and Zucchini Saute
I still have some of last summer’s corn in the freezer. I always think I should freeze more than I do. This is a quick dish that is both colorful and tasty. Best yet it makes me think of warm summer days.
Corn and Zucchini Sauté
2 sweet peppers, seeded and cut into strips
2 medium zucchini, sliced
Oil
2 c. corn kernels cut from cobs, about 4 ears
1 t. garlic salt
1t. Italian seasoning
In oil cook peppers and zucchini until crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and cook 4 more minutes, or until heated through. Serves 6-8.
Corn and Ham Chowder
I was looking for a quick soup for dinner the other night. Inspiration hit when I came across some corn in the freezer. I had blanched and frozen it during the summer at the peak of corn season. I had a little ham in the fridge I was wanting to use up and the pairing was a natural. I started by sauteing an onion in a little butter. Once the onion was tender I added a peeled and diced potato, the corn, the diced ham and about 2 or 3 cups of chicken stock. I covered the soup and let it simmer until the potato was tender, about 15 minutes. I then took 4 tablespoons of flour and put it in a jar. I added a cup of milk, put on the lid and shook it until the flour was well mixed in. I poured the flour mixture into the pot and brought the mixture up to a gentle boil. I stirred it as it thickened up. I cooked it for a few minutes and adjusted the seasonings adding salt, fresh ground pepper and a dash of hot sauce. I also added some chopped parsley. The end result was a wonderful chowder that took almost no time at all. Sometimes the best dishes come from just looking at what we already have. In this case some frozen veggies and a bit of leftover ham.