Week 21: Summer Side Dish Recipe Contest Winner

4 Comments | Written on June 21, 2011 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

It’s Tuesday and you know what that means….time to reveal another recipe contest winner!

This week we honor Donna-Marie Ryan for her flavorful and creative “Easy Eats Mexican Street Corn.” Traditionally, Mexican street corn is served on the cob with a generous slather of mayonnaise, a dusting of chili powder and maybe a squirt of lime. There is a taco truck that often parks on the street in front of my building here in LA and every once in a while during the Summer they will serve corn just like this. If my windows are open and there is a nice breeze the aroma tantalizes me just enough to head outside for a closer look… and maybe a taste!

Donna-Marie’s recipe makes the dish a little easier to prepare and enjoy by serving the corn off of the cob. This time of year when corn is in season, cutting it fresh off the cob is the way to go. However it can also be prepared with canned or frozen corn if you would like to enjoy this fabulous side dish year round!

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EASY EATS MEXICAN STREET CORN

Ingredients:

2 tbsp corn oil
3 cups whole kernel corn; fresh, frozen or canned
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 small jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
1 tsp garlic salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Zest of 1 lime
2 limes, quartered
Cilantro sprigs

Directions:

Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet and add corn. Pan roast 4-5 minutes until corn is golden and hot. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, chili powder, jalapeno and garlic salt, then stir to combine. Add to roasted corn and heat through. Top with zest and ground pepper, then serve with lime quarters and cilantro.

Number of Servings: 4-6

Notes: This is a quick side version of Mexican Street corn made with niblets and fork ready in minutes. A great side for cook outs and a real change from the usual salad or slaw. It can be cooked on the grill in a grill safe pan. For less heat, seed the jalapeno.

Congratulations Donna-Marie! How did you come up with your winning recipe?

“I have developed this recipe over the past couple of years to go along with my pulled pork or pulled chicken plates. My family loves the convenience of having this side without eating it off the cob.”

What inspired you to enter the Better Recipes weekly contest?

“I have entered several recipes into the Better Recipes weekly contest but this is my first win. This side is a great for a summer cook-out, and when I read the theme was “sides” it just jumped to mind.”

Do you enter recipe contests often?

“I started recipe contesting in 2006 and over the past few years I have won a variety of contests and am thrilled wit each win large and small! It’s a great hobby. Plus I have made many wonderful friends! It’s the only competitive group I can think of where your competitors are also your greatest cheerleaders! Thank you also to CCC!”

(Note: CCC is a website called “Cooking Contest Central” If you love to enter recipe contests this is the go-to resource for information on all contests big and small, as well as support from fellow cooks.)

Why do you think your recipe stood out to the judges?

“It is quick, easy and flavorful and it is a variation on a classic. If my family likes a recipe it is a good barometer for me to use in entering a recipe into a contest.”

Do you have any advice for others interested in entering our recipe contests?

“Keep trying and have fun!”

Do you have any other kitchen tips, recipe advice or culinary wisdom to share with the Better Recipes readers?

“When my children were young I started a 2 new foods every week . If one of the girls were with me they could pick them out. It broadened their horizons. When they got older they did a lot of cooking and baking for 4-H. They know how to cook, bake , have made jams etc. and are pretty confident in the kitchen . A big plus is they are not afraid to try new foods. One daughter loves Indian foods and both love sushi!”

That’s fantastic! It’s great to hear that you have instilled a love of food and sense of adventure into your children as well. Congrats again!

Looking for other ways to enjoy corn this season? Check out these fun recipes from fellow bloggers:

Baked Bree - Corn Pesto and Tomato Pizza: http://bakedbree.com/corn-pesto-and-tomato-pizza

Food Blogga – Warm Quinoa, Corn and Arugula Salad: http://foodblogga.blogspot.com/2011/05/sweet-corn-season-has-begun-in-san.html

Kitchen Runway – Creamed Corn: http://kitchenrunway.com/creamed-corn/