Oh, fall. I see you. I’m ready to embrace what you’re all about. I’m looking forward to the boots, and the vibrant leaves that crunch under them. I’m ready for the pies and pumpkins and all the warm-cozy-little things that make this season so lovable. But you’ll just have to wait a little bit longer. There’s still time for a little more summer. There’s still time for corn!
Let’s talk bacon and cheese! Let’s talk roasted corn! Let’s talk about how simple this salad is, and how decadently rich these flavors are when combined! Because this salad is not something you want to pass on. I wish I could get my hands on fresh ears of corn all year round (sigh).
This dish was inspired by a salad I made right around this time last year. I’m such a procrastinator with summer produce, I wait and wait and wait until I realize it’s almost gone for the whole winter and then I hoard it all and go nuts the last few weeks it’s available. One day I’ll learn to start early. One day…
But back to the corn! Fresh corn is roasted, shucked, and then sauteed with a a little oil and finished off with a few pats of gorgeous butter. Butter makes everything in life just dreamy. Once the corn has had a chance to get a little browned and absorbed all the buttery flavor it needs to make it in this world, we mix it immediately with our cheese and bacon to make a this whole salad situation too good to be true. Toss in some creamy avocado chunks, finely diced red onion and bell pepper for a little crunch, and a squeeze of bright lime – you’re all set for the best end-of-summer salad I’ve had this year.
I’ll see you next week with amazing muffins.
Bacon and Cheese Roasted Corn Salad – Inspired by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Dan Kluger ABC Kitchen, New York
Makes 8 servings
- 6 ears of sweet yellow corn, unhusked
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked crispy
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges
- 1 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese, plus a little extra to sprinkle on top
- 1 avocado, diced into chunks
Preheat oven to 450°. Roast unhusked corn on a baking sheet, turning occasionally, until heated through and crisp-tender, about 15 minutes. Let cool. Shuck corn and cut kernels from cobs. Discard cobs.
Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add corn kernels and sauté until heated through and light-golden in spots, 3–5 minutes. Add butter; stir until melted.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer corn to a large wide bowl or deep platter; add bacon and cheese, then pepper, onion, and avocado, mix well. Squeeze lime wedges over; sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve warm or cold.
Biz says
You had me at bacon!! Amazing. 😀
Piper @ Got it Cook it says
I love the sound of this, finally a salad that all men, and kids, will dish up willingly! I’m making this soon!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
This is honestly an amazing recipe. All good flavor packed in this salad – not just any salad, you know! We still have delicious corn and we must take advantage of it! I love all the ingredients playing a major role in giving good flavor in the salad. Nothing is a small role – I love it. Look at the salad, it says it all! Thanks for sharing this, definitely will try. Have a great weekend Ashley!
Erika says
This is perfect! I’ve been looking for a way to use my four ears of corn but I didn’t know how to grill them or get a nice grilled flavor on them without a grill or an open stove. I didn’t even think about roasting them in the oven!
bakerbynature says
Roast them up, girl!
Rosa says
A scrumptious combination and wonderful corn salad.
Cheers,
Rosa
bakerbynature says
Thank you, Rosa 😉
baker street says
Bacon and cheese! I’m in!! Excellent combination of flavors.
bakerbynature says
Yay! Thank you 😉
amy @ fearless homemaker says
Your food always looks so amazing + this is no exception! i bet the sweetness of the corn pairs wonderfully with the salty, meaty bacon. Approve! =)
bakerbynature says
You’re so sweet, Amy! I’m thrilled to have your approval 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Not a bacon fan personally but everything else in here, mmmm, the corn and the avocado and it’s so creamy looking and the cheese! yum!
bakerbynature says
Thank you, Averie! People are either all or nothing with bacon it seems – I’m sure this salad could have lived without it 😉
Choc Chip Uru says
I think bacon and cheese has never looked so darn delicious together 😀
Coming from a vege!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
bakerbynature says
That’s quite a compliment: Thank you 😉
IdaBaker says
This looks so good, plus, I have all of the ingredients already, making it very easy to make.
Don’t you hate it when you come across a recipe that looks so good and know you don’t have what you need to make it?
bakerbynature says
How perfect!!! I hope you make it 🙂