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Mexican Street Corn - this stuff is CRAZY GOOD! It works double duty too, as a side or a scrumptious dip!
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5 from 8 votes

Mexican Street Corn - Esquites

Mexican Street Corn - this stuff is CRAZY GOOD! It works double duty too, as a side or a scrumptious appetizer dip!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Vegetables
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 8 -10 Servings
Calories:
Author: Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium cloves fresh garlic finely minced
  • 8 ears fresh corn husks and silk removed
  • 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and stemmed, finely chopped
  • 1 medium bunch green spring onions, finely sliced
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2-3 ounces cotija cheese* crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder to taste
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt more to taste

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a medium size skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute, swirling the pan a few times to keep the garlic from browning. Set aside to cool while you prepare the corn.
  • Place two ears of corn at a time, in a gallon size ziplock bag. Wet your fingers under the faucet and sprinkle a bit of water into the bag with your hand (just a bit, probably about a teaspoon). Seal the bag and place in microwave for 3 ½ minutes. Corn should be crisp-tender and the kernels should not be wrinkled. If they are wrinkled after the first two ears, reduce the cooking time a bit. Microwaves vary widely in intensity. Remove ears from bag onto a cutting board or work surface to cool a bit. Repeat till all 8 ears are cooked.
  • When corn is cool enough to handle, cut kernels from cobs and transfer to a fairly large bowl.
  • Add garlic (and oil), jalapeño, green onions and cilantro. Stir to combine.
  • In a small bowl, combine mayo, lime juice, cotija cheese, chili powder and salt. Whisk till smooth. Add to corn mixture and stir to combine.
  • Taste and add more salt, if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature. To warm, just place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with more cilantro, a bit of finely diced jalapeño and a sprinkle of chili powder, if desired. The cotija cheese pretty much "melts" into the delicious sauce, so if you want to sprinkle a little more on the top as a garnish, that would be pretty too.

Notes

* Cojita is a cheese originating in Cotija in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It's a fairly hard, crumbly cheese and is used mostly in Mexican dishes. I think of it as the Mexican parmesan, although the flavor is different.
You could also use Queso Fresco or even Feta if you can't find the Mexican cheeses.