MEXICAN STREET CORN CASSEROLE ~ BLOG 365.339

MEXICAN STREET CORN CASSEROLE serves 4-6 adapted from Jet Tila

CASSEROLE
5 to 6 ears fresh corn, shucked and kernels cut from the cobs
4 slices bacon, crisp and crumbled

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons canned chipotle in adobo
1 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
6 ounces Cotija, crumbled
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped FRESH parsley

  • Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine the corn, sour cream, mayonnaise, adobo, chili powder, garlic salt, salt, pepper, bacon pieces and 3 ounces Cotija.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish, then bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until bubbling on the edges.

CHIPOTLE CREAM DRIZZLE
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon canned chipotle in adobo, plus more if desired
Zest and juice of 1 lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, chipotles, lime zest and juice in a blender. Add more chipotle, if desired.
  • Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Place in a squeeze bottle.
  • Remove the casserole from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Garnish with the scallions, parsley, remaining 3 ounces Cotija and a drizzle of the chipotle cream.

ORANGE CHILE CHICKEN

ORANGE CHILE CHICKEN

SAUCE
1/2 cup oyster sauce
1/2 cup sugar
3 ounces orange juice
3 ounces rice wine vinegar (unseasoned)
1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed into the rice wine vinegar as a slurry
2 tablespoons BRAGG’S liquid aminos
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 drop red food coloring, optional 

  • Add the oyster sauce, sugar, orange juice, vinegar-cornstarch slurry, liquid aminos, hoisin sauce, paprika and food coloring into a 1-quart saucepan, bring the heat up to medium.
  • Whisk gently as it comes to a simmer.
  • Allow to simmer, keep whisking for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from heat and reserve.

CHICKEN
1 1/2 quarts neutral oil, for deep frying
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
2 1/2 cups tempura flour  

  • Heat the oil in a 4-quart Dutch oven to 375°.
  • Rinse the chicken in cold water and pat dry.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup tempura flour over the chicken cubes and toss to lightly dredge, shaking off the excess.
  • Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups of tempura flour with 1 cup cold water to make a thin batter, it should look like pancake batter.
  • Coat dredged chicken pieces in batter.
  • Fry in batches until golden brown and crispy, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Drain on paper towels. 

ASSEMBLY
2 tablespoons neutral oil, I use avocado
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons minced, peeled fresh ginger
Fried chicken pieces, from above
2 to 3 scallions, cut on the bias into 2-inch lengths
1/2 yellow onion, cut into large dice
Orange Chicken Sauce, from above
Fried Rice, recipe follows, or steamed rice, for serving

  • Heat a large skillet to high and add the oil.
  • When you see the first wisps of white smoke, stir in the garlic, ginger and chicken pieces, cooking and stirring for about 30 seconds.
  • Add the scallions, onion and reserved sauce turning to coat and simmer to heat through, about 2 minutes.
  • Serve over chow mien or fried rice or steamed rice.