Hot Corn Dip

We enjoyed watching the Super Bowl with a few other football-loving friends this past weekend.  Everyone was to bring their favorite game day food or snack.  There was everything from hot chicken wings to various homemade cookies, fruit, sausage balls...and of course, chips and dip!  

  One of the dips was baked in the oven and had cheese and corn in it.  I had never had a dip quite like it before (not even when I lived in Texas where they put corn and jalapenos in everything!).

  Like any good recipe,this one's been passed around.  When I asked for a copy of it, my friend said that she had actually gotten it from a mutual friend of ours.  So...since that friend happens to be in Florida getting a tan, I'm going to share it without her permission!  That's the kinda things people do...when they're envious that you're at the beach and they're not!  Just kidding, Kathryn!  

  Hope you like this delicious hot dip as much as I did!

Quick Corn Fritters!

One day last week, my youngest son was telling me about some great fried cornball-type things that he and his brother had enjoyed at a lunch place in Illinois.  From the description I could tell they were similar to what I've always called,"corn fritters"!  I told him that my way of fixing fritters is really easy.  We got out the skillet and had a cooking lesson!

1.  Mix your favorite pancake or buckwheat cake mix up according to the recipe or package directions.  Mix in some canned or fresh corn (jalapeño peppers may be diced into this batter, as well). 

  Here, for ours, we used complete pancake mix from SAM'S and a little cornmeal(about 1/4 C).  We mixed the pancake mix according to directions, added the cornmeal and a little extra milk because of the addition of the meal.

2.  Get some butter hot in your skillet.

3.  Pour spoonfuls of batter into the skillet.  Make each fritter about the size of a regular jar lid.  Leave space around each to fry for a crispy edge.  Let bubbles form, and flip halfway through cooking.

You can top these with just butter, or maple syrup or agave, but we loved this raspberry-jalapeño jelly that we bought at the Bentonville Farmer's Market on top of ours!  You can get creative with your toppings.  These fritters are great for breakfast, brunch or lunch!!

Fried Corn

Saturday mornings in NW Arkansas mean a trip to the local  farmers' market.  Bentonville has a wonderful market down on the square.  It's more than just people shopping for produce, it's a community get-together that takes place each Saturday.  Folks visit with neighbors, admire each others' dogs, and watch  the youthful energy exhibited by children as they play, eat ice cream... and also admire the dogs in the crowd.  The quality and variety of locally grown produce (meat and honey, too) is amazing!  Last week I even spotted gluten-free baked goods at one stand;  so there's something of interest to everyone.  Saturday-before-last I bought rhubarb to make a pie and some tomatoes that were almost a purple color.  When I asked about their unusual color, the seller informed us that they are Cherokee tomatoes.  They have a little bit of a tangier taste, but were great on hamburgers!  This week's purchases included tomatoes and the best green beans I've ever eaten.  I steamed those beans and then sauteed them with a little bit of bacon grease.    I saw a new type of corn that I wasn't familiar with, it's called Peaches and Cream corn...maybe next Saturday!

Here's a way to use up leftover ears of cooked corn.  We just love fried corn around here!

Sheila's Fried Corn
Using a large cast iron or non-stick skillet, melt butter (I use a heaping TBSP of Heart Smart).  Once skillet is hot enough to sizzle, cut cold corn off the cobs into skillet.  Make sure you scrape the milk from the cobs!  Salt and pepper to taste.  Fry until corn is hot through.  If you like Mexican corn, chop up some fresh garden peppers in there, too!  Enjoy! 

Book I'm reading:  Wicked:  The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory McGuire

SWAPS:
Simply Sweet Home
The Shabby Nest
My Romantic Home
Common Ground
The Charm of Home
Our Delightful Home