What we are Eating - Corn Salad

Corn Salad
adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

On Father's day, we had a picnic at the beach.  I went searching for some easy but tasty new recipes to try and this corn salad was a huge success.  The bowl was empty by the time we were done . . . and only three of us ate it!  It's fresh and light and easy to make.  I did not add fresh basil too it but that would take it to a different flavor level.

Summer Corn Salad

Yield: Serves 6

Note: To julienne the fresh basil, stack 4-5 basil leaves on top of each other and roll them up to make a long tube of basil. Slice every 1/8-inch down the length of the basil roll and as the basil unfurls, it will be sliced into thin long strips. The corn could also be grilled to turn this simple salad into a grilled version. This salad is very adaptable – you can increase the corn, add a few cloves of finely minced garlic, flat leaf parsley, and/or julienned baby spinach (in place of the basil). Go crazy!

Ingredients

• 6 ears of corn, shucked
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 3 tablespoons cider or red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup julienned/chiffonaded fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add one tablespoon sugar and one tablespoon vinegar. Add the cobs of corn to the pot of water and bring to a rolling boil. Cover the pot, remove from the heat and let the corn sit for 10 minutes. Remove the corn from the pot. When the corn is cool, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.
2. Toss the kernels in a medium bowl with the red onions, tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.