Risottoed Fresh Sweet Corn

If your household is anything like mine, fresh ears of corn dominates the shopping list every week this time of year. And while I absolutely love my corn on the cob and various corn salad permutations, sometimes you just need something a little different. That’s where this creamy, risotto-like side comes into play. This dish takes the best summer has to offer and transports it to near fall amounts of decadence. It’s creamy, it’s hearty, and it makes the perfect accompaniment to a protein main (like the too-dry pheasant in the picture).

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Risottoed Fresh Sweet Corn

4 ears corn
1/2 c. liquid – water, stock or milk
1/2 red onion
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. half & half
Salt & pepper to taste

Dice onion and set to sautée in the oil over medium-low heat.

Over a large bowl, de-kernel the corn and then run the back of your knife down the empty cobs to extract the milk.

Add the corn & 1/2 c. liquid to a food processor; whiz until the mixture looks like risotto.

When the onion is softened, add the corn. Raise the temperature to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, 20 minutes or until the desired consistency is reached. You want a loose risotto texture.

Add the cheese and half & half. Stir and cook another couple minutes to fully incorporate. Salt & pepper to taste.

Serves 2 for dinner + 1 for lunch.

August 10, 2012

I know this was in yesterday’s POD, but I wanted to try and capture the paper quality on this print – great sheen, nice depth – we’re really pleased with how it turned out.

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August 9, 2012

And a little purple artwork ties the room together. Original photograph printed on Kodak Endura Metallic paper & matted to a board.

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August 8, 2012

My old man enjoying the new place to lay.

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Hey Man, Nice Shot!

3 recent shots from the hubbs I’ve got to share. 2 are leftovers from our Seattle trip, and one he took while on a hike in Denver. All are kickass IMHO.

Coupeville, Whidbey Island, in the gathering storm.

 

Under the Coupeville pier. Love the barnacles marching off into infinity.

To view more of our shots from Seattle, click here (Part 1), here (Part 2), here (Part 3) or here (Part 4).

This was taken on a hike in Denver. Interesting that only that one perfect leg is left – the rest is all swirls and fossils-to-be.

 

And that’s it for now. Just had to share these 3 recently-processed shots. Pics from our recent trip to Hyde Park will be posted (somewhat) soon – it wasn’t the bevy of beauty trip that Seattle was, but it was still a nice PTO-killing weekend away.

 

 

August 7, 2012

Saturn Peach

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August 6, 2012

That’s one damn fine looking rug.

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August 5, 2012

Coming home.

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Strawberry Chipotle Jam

This low-in-sugar jam has a slightly smoky, slightly tangy taste in the background (don’t worry – it’s not enough to overpower the berry taste) and makes a great add-in for freezer pops, ice creams, etc.

Strawberry Chipotle Jam

1 lb. strawberries, washed and de-stemmed
2 Tbsp. sugar

In a large skillet over medium heat, mash the strawberries and sugar with a potato masher until the berries are broken up and well on their way to being somewhat smooth. The sugar should disappear.

Add

1 Tbsp. adobo sauce from a can of chipotles
2 Tbsp. Jack Daniel’s Honey

Bring up to a low boil, drop the heat and simmer (slow tiny bubbles every once in awhile) about 20 minutes or until thickened and sludgy. When you drag a wooden spoon through the mixture, you should have clear tracks left.

Pour into sterilized glass canning jars (making sure to leave some head room) and screw on the lid.

Boil the jars a good 5 minutes to seal.

Makes 2 8 ounce jars.

August 4, 2012

Golden hour at the 2 Taste Wine Bar in Hyde Park. Omfg, fantastical food. Granted, most everything we’ve eaten at up here (all highly rated and/or heartily suggested) has been total crap. This however, was not. The blue crab / duck confit with whipped potatoes, port reduction, pickled caramelized onion and green beans special was amazing; and the filet was worth half again what they were charging based on taste alone.

I highly recommend if anywhere near town.

The B&B we stayed in, the Journey Inn, was also lovely.

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