August 21, 2012
Side Dish
21 comments »

Esquites

This should come as no surprise to you at all, but we had Mexican for dinner the other night.

I know. I know. That’s nothing new. It’s my mission in life to convert my family into a bunch of Mexican food lovers. I’m succeeding. Slowly, but surely.

I’ve often served Elotes for dinner (grilled corn on the cob, rubbed in some lime juice, and then rolled  in a bit of mayo, chili powder, and cotija cheese), but when I saw this idea for Esquites over on Serious Eats, I knew that this would have to happen in my kitchen almost immediately.

This was a perfect Mexican side dish, which is nice, because sometimes I struggle with what to serve with Mexican food.

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Esquites

Ingredients:

5 ears corn on the cob
1/4 cup butter
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1-2 tablespoons mayo
1-2 tablespoons sour cream
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 cup cotija cheese
2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder, or to taste (optional)
salt and pepper

Directions:

Slice the corn from the cob and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the butter.
Once the butter is melted, add the corn to the skillet and stir once.
Let corn sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes, or until corn starts browning on bottom. Stir again and let corn sit until it begins popping a bit and is charred.
Place corn in a medium bowl and add 1 tablespoon of mayo, 1 tablespoon of sour cream, and the remaining ingredients. Toss to coat. Add another tablespoon of mayo and/or sour cream, to taste. (I used 2 tablespoons of each, but felt that it was a bit overdressed.)

 
Cheesy, Side Dish, Veggies
21 comments »

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21 Responses to “Esquites”

  1. JulieD August 21, 2012 @ 10:03 am (#
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    Wow, this looks amazing!! I’m definitely trying it soon!!

  2. Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel August 21, 2012 @ 10:03 am (#
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    I live and die for Mexican food. Namely, your chicken tamale casserole, which has all my favorite things rolled up into one. I cannot. stop. with. that. casserole. I hope you created a Casserole Anon group. Anywho, I also struggle in what to serve alongside enchiladas and tacos. I usually serve rice, but by now we’re so burnt out at rice that we’ve practically banned it from the pantry. This looks SUPER yummy and easy to make.

  3. Averie @ Averie Cooks August 21, 2012 @ 10:57 am (#
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    )

    mayo, sour cream, chipotle – that’s all I need for a winning sauce! looks great, Carly and way to impress the family, no doubt!

  4. Stephanie August 21, 2012 @ 12:44 pm (#
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    This looks so dang scrumptious. I want to eat a big bowl of this while watching Nacho Libre.

  5. Natalie August 21, 2012 @ 12:54 pm (#
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    Making. Tonight. I have a boatload of leftover corn on the cob from this weekend (and BBQ chicken). Also, I totally support your Mexican food campaign.

  6. Joanne August 21, 2012 @ 2:58 pm (#
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    I tend not to eat corn straight off the cob because of all the teeth stuckage…perfect solution right here!

  7. Riley August 21, 2012 @ 3:57 pm (#
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    )

    I’m right there with you. I grew up on Mexican food and this looks delicious!

  8. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar August 21, 2012 @ 5:26 pm (#
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    I don’t know what cotjia cheese is, but I’m determined to find out! I’m a HUGE Mexican food AND corn lover :)

    • Karly — August 21st, 2012 @ 6:55 pm

      @Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar,

      It’s a really salty, crumbly cheese. I’ve heard feta works well as a replacement, but I’ve never actually had feta, so I don’t know. :) Cotija can be hard to find, but it’s good!

  9. Becca from It's Yummilicious August 21, 2012 @ 6:09 pm (#
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    I’m convinced that you can convert your family into Mexican food lovers if you offer them sombreros to wear when they eat this amazing corn dish… just sayin’

  10. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes August 21, 2012 @ 6:40 pm (#
    10
    )

    LOVE mexican food…and I’m the same way – sometimes i run out of ideas for side dishes

  11. DessertForTwo August 22, 2012 @ 5:34 am (#
    11
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    It is hard to find side dishes with Mexican food, huh? What a great one!

  12. Julia {The Roasted Root} August 22, 2012 @ 6:33 am (#
    12
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    Mexican food is my (and my boyfriend’s) favorite! We agree we could eat it every single day and not get bored of it. I’ve never heard of esquites and I’m totally intrigued! I’m corn-obsessed…love how sweet it is and the poppy texture is wonderful. I’m all about trying this recipe and loading up a tortilla with it…or eating it straight out of the bowl!

  13. shelly (cookies and cups) August 22, 2012 @ 6:42 am (#
    13
    )

    Love this side dish! My family doesn’t even like Mexican Rice, but I make every time with Mexican food because I have no idea what else to make :)

  14. Megan @ whatmegansmaking August 22, 2012 @ 9:24 am (#
    14
    )

    I love plain old boring corn, so I’m pretty sure I would be all over this version!

  15. Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings August 22, 2012 @ 12:44 pm (#
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    My husband hates corn…but I am trying to convert him!

  16. Kathy Steger @FoodWineThyme September 6, 2012 @ 9:02 pm (#
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    I love love love corn. Hubby and I love Mexican cuisine as well. Can’t wait to try this recipe

  17. Rachel (teacher-chef) September 7, 2012 @ 6:57 pm (#
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    YUM – made this with all the extra corn I had cut off the cob yesterday (since I cooked it & cut it off the cob, but didn’t really have a plan). Had everything else I needed in the house – so whipped this up to go with our fajitas – AWESOME, thanks for this :-)

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