Saturday, August 4, 2012

Fire and Ice | Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad

There are few  things that scream "August!" more loudly than corn and tomatoes.  They're ripe and plentiful and at their absolute best at this time of year.  Is there anyone who doesn't love biting into a freshly cooked ear of corn?  (Excluding those wearing braces on their teeth.)

For me, the same goes for tomatoes. While I was picking the first of my new tomatoes in the garden the other day, I really just wanted to bite into one right then and there, no salt required. Always reminds me of the time my younger sister and I  -- at about the ages of  5 and 7 --  snuck off with a peck basket of tomatoes my mother had just bought at a farmer's stand that day and ate nearly half of it ourselves.  We were a bit sick, but my mother was so amazed, she shook her head in awe more than she was angry with us.



Although I can exercise better restraint these days, I still relish the freshness of corn and tomatoes. Only lately have I started to enjoy grilled corn, either on the gas grill or on a gas stove burner flame or from an outdoor campfire. And I'll eat a tomato hot or cold, peeled or seed, or not.  Just love 'em.  Any kind.  Any size. The combination of the roasted corn with tomatoes and cucumbers and jalapeno really needs no more than a drizzle of olive oil and a generous squeeze of lime.  But the addition of smoked paprika adds a nice bit of spice to this super combination.




 I obviously like to combine corn with other veggies (and fruit!) in a salad because I've done it a time or two before.  The corn and blueberry combo above was from a previous post, as was this corn and red pepper salad.  It's the jalapeno, though, that makes all three of these special.  (And the lime juice.  And th cilantro.)



Joy the Baker's salad included bacon and avocado, which I know would be deliciously perfect.  And she made it as filling for a a lettuce wrap.

I have to admit:  I've never been much of a cilantro fan, but I grew some this year and have begun to love it (I also grew jalapeno peppers for the first time this year.)  And I also have to admit it, along with the smoked paprika, the cilantro was the perfect finish to this fire and ice salad. Come to think of it, though, wouldn't cumin be nice?


Roasted Corn & Tomato Salad
makes about 4 cups of salad
adapted from Joy the Baker
3 ears of roasted corn
1 or 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded (for as much heat as you want) and minced
juice of one lime
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
chili powder
smoked paprika
fresh cilantro

Roast the corn your favorite way.  (I used the gas grill, placing ears of corn still in their husks and soaked in water for several hours.)  Let cool before husking and removing the corn from the cob.

Combine the corn with the tomatoes, cucumber, onion and jalapeno in a large bowl.  Sprinkle the juice of a whole lime over all and drizzle with olive oil.  Add chili powder, paprika (or cumin) to taste and toss.  Taste and adjust as you like. Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over all and serve.

42 comments:

  1. Summer on a plate? Corn and tomatoes--throw in some green beans and squash! Speaking of plates, I love your's.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. This is just the best time of year! Love all this stuff. (Even all the zucchini!)

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  2. I just received a bunch of corn this morning and this is the second recipe I've read since. This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. There's a lot to do with corn, sin't there? I've been reading a lot about corn ice cream, but I'm still skeptical!

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  3. This looks seriously delicious my friend, a perfect way to celebrate August :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. August is a great harvest month and I think corn and tomatoes are the stars!

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  4. This looks so good, I could see it used for a variety of dishes. How nice for you to have a plentiful vegetable and herb garden in your own backyard.

    By the way, did you receive your watermelon knife?

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    1. It's great to be able to cook according to what's ripe in your own garden! And I love new ways of combining old favorites.

      And the new knife is great! Thanks, Vicky! Works well cutting bread, too, just like you said.

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  5. Cilantro was a bit of a slow burn for me too, but now I absolutely love it, particularly in summer cooking. Rosemary, every one of those corn dishes looks marvellous. The fire and ice salad is the star though - love all those gorgeous flavours.

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    1. Now that we've conquered cilantro, shall we move on to fresh fennel?

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  6. What a lovely, colorful salad. I can't resist roasted corn, either!

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    1. Corn dishes are like pizza -- haven't met any I didn't like!

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  7. Yum! Summer salads! You've given us a few good ideas here, Rosemary!

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    1. If I would have had avocado I would have liked that addition, I'm sure.

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  8. I had some corn salsa for lunch today too, but I love your roasted corn more!

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    1. I've seen a lot of people do very interesting things with roasted corn, Angie (and who did that before, anyhow?!?) What did we all do before the Internet for inspiration?

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  9. Mmmm. I love corn salads, and all of these sound amazing. The other day I made one with corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes and black beans. wow. was that good. Can't be roasted corn in the summer!

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  10. Oh, how I love a fresh corn salad...and this recipe looks fantastic, Rosemary...so many potential add ins...and every version would be wonderful!

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    1. I never dreamed a salad like this would be this good, Liz. Now< I'm ready for anything.

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  11. This summer's corn in SC has been ultra-sweet and I've fallen in love with every corn salad (especially roasted) that I've come across this summer. You've just added another to my must try recipes Rosemary.

    Be well,
    Roz

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    1. Roasting makes such a nice little difference, Roz. Nice way to change up a favorite vegetable since childhood.

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  12. This definitely screams summer! I could eat TONS of it, I just know.

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    1. Would be easy to eat tons of it! (What am I saying? I did!)

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  13. I'm very picky about my corn, and August is the best time for eating it. Perfect!

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    1. I like smaller, more tender kernels; and Mr. Rosemary likes larger, meatier ones. So we have to go through a lot of ears to get ours!

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  14. What a gorgeous salad! I agree, there is nothing that screams summer like corn and tomatoes. Thank you for sharing, my friend. This looks perfect.

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    1. It's a purty looking salad. Thought of you yesterday when I had my first session teaching a 7-year old to cook. He wants to bake and I'm a better cook. We'll learn together!

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  15. Rosemary, I received my book today! Thank you so much. I'll be sure to link back to you as soon as I try one of the recipes - I'm really intrigued by the Belgian Waffles.

    Your salad is so similar to the one we made for French Fridays with Dorie this week. I love all the variations on summer fruits and vegetables.

    Have a lovely weekend!

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    1. I just saw that post, Susan, and thought the same thing. The variations are all great with all these fresh veggies.

      Glad you like the book. Have a ball!

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  16. I can't get enough fresh corn this time of year! I love all your flavors and have really taken to the Spanish paprika as well;-)

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    1. This is absolutely the best time of year to get fresh corn here in Pennsylvania. And I'm lucky to have a generous neighbor, too. Spanish paprika is a new love for me, too, Patty.

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  17. Many of my favorite summer ingredients are right here...looks delicious!

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    1. Although avocado is neither local or seasonal here, I think it would be a great addition to this salad.

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  18. I'm with you on eating those tomatoes straight from the garden - while picking them. The corn and tomato salad with a little jalapeno sounds great!

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    1. Sometimes I do feel like a little kid when I do eat in the garden -- hard to resist!

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  19. I love corn. I even eat them with only a cheese powder on it. This recipe would be a useful one. I'll new dish to make with corn. Yum!
    Perth Wedding Photographer

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    1. My husband never puts anything on an ear of corn. Drowning it in butter is a waste, he thinks.

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  20. Oh you are so right Rosemary! August is robust with garden and culinary blessings! I can't wait to try this recipe that you have kindly shared with the bounty of the season! Grazie mille! Roz

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    1. August isn't over yet! I still have tons -- tons! -- of tomatoes coming. Will be making sauce again today!

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  21. PS: I wanted to thank you , Rosemary, for offering a 'print' link on your blog. I do appreciate that! Roz

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    1. It was easy to do, Roz. Wish I'd known so from the start!

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I realize you don't have to take the time to comment . . . but it makes my day! So glad you decided to stay.