Corn-off-the-cob

The final hit of sweet, sweet summer

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Sweetcorn means the end of the season. It's the final hit of sweet, sweet summer. Creamy yellow kernels wrapped in papery blankets giving us a final good time before we all start making stew. I am here for it. 

It's end-of-summer energy here in London. The rain and the grey have paused for a final hit of Vit D before it’s jumpers and toasties. And oh my god we need it. 

So this week I am offering you some encouragement to eat all the corn before it’s gone. These are the corn recipes I have made and loved and repeated over the last few weeks. 

Late summer corn and tomato curry

Image: Issy Croker

First a curry. It’s got all the things that I want to eat at this time of year; corn, the last tomatoes and greens. Add some spice and coconut milk and you have a panful of bright but comforting late summer curry. 

Corn and cauliflower chowder

Image: Issy Croker

Next a chowder. This would go into my hall of fame corn recipes. It manages to be warming, bright and fresh all at once. Make this year round with frozen corn but it’s best now while corn is cheap and sweet and perfect. 

Quick honeyed corn on the cob

This is a favourite way with whole corn on the cob. Corn on the cob works with so many things on it, of course, good butter and salt but also grated parmesan and chilli, a slick of herby chutney. This quick recipe uses a little honey and chilli which helps stick a lot of fresh herbs to the corn. It’s messy, it’s fun, it’s fresh. Try it. 

Corn and green chilli risotto

The last is perhaps my most beloved corn recipe. Because I thought it wasn’t going to work. Corn and risotto are not an obvious pairing. But it is the risotto I like the most in the world. The sweetness of the corn and the creamy parmesan rice really show each other off. The ingredient list is quite short and it requires just one pan and a hob.

Image: Issy Croker

Also I’ve added a list of corn favourites from candles to corn butter and some other things that have been filling my thoughts over the last week or so….

Finally I wanted to thank everyone who has made my week by supporting the ‘extra’ paid issue of the newsletter that I sent out last week. If you missed it - it’s a cake for life - and if you’d like to support the work we put into this newsletter you can join them below. No pressure, we love to have you here regardless. 

With love,

AJ x

Corny things to click on:

• Cute corn butter

• For corn buttering

• Sweetcorn udon

• Look at this corn salad

• A corn candle that smells of neroli

• And one in beeswax

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• Sports and fizzy drinks don’t mix

• Millennial women and body image

• What happens when we no longer think of ourselves as consumers of products but as citizens of food?

• Stop waste colonialism

• A celebration of the autumn equinox this weekend

• That’s what you call a salted caramel

• The messy truth

• Where do you lie on eating in bed?

• A modern guide to smoking and curing

• A pact for parents