Before fresh corn makes it’s exit, many of you are feverishly shucking and freezing it to savor that freshness throughout the year! While we all know nothing is yummier than corn on the cob with a little butter and salt, there are lots of other healthy ways to enjoy this season’s harvest!!

Corn is fresh from the field right now and in abundance at your local Farmer’s Markets.

Is corn healthy? One cup of fresh sweet corn kernels (about one large ear) has 4 grams of fiber, plus it’s rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that help keep your eyes healthy as you age.

Give some of these healthy, easy corn recipes a try and enjoy!

Corn Maque Choux (Mock Shoe)

(This is a corn based side dish that is very popular in Louisiana cooking)

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper
• ¾ cup diced red onion
• ¾ cup celery
• 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 8 ears)
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced or minced
• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
• ¾ teaspoon salt, more to taste
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium high heat until crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in a skillet.
2. Add butter to drippings, and heat over medium heat until butter is melted.
3. Add bell pepper, onion, and celery, cook, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes.
4. Add corn and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, 5-6 minutes.
5. Add cream, salt and black pepper, and cayenne, and cook, stirring frequently, until cream has reduced slightly, 3-4 minutes.
6. Crumble bacon and stir into corn mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serves 8-10.

Healthier Corn and Crab Chowder

Ingredients

• 1 poblano pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 2 potatoes
• 2 Tbsp. Old Bay seasoning
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 oz. sherry
• 32 oz. fish stock
• 16 oz. crab (claw meat)
• 1½ cup fresh corn
• 2 cups fat free half and half
• Juice from ½ lemon
• 2 green onions

Directions

1. Place a large soup pot over high heat and add poblano pepper, cook, turning occasionally, until the skin begins to blacken and blister, about 5 minutes. Remove the pepper and chop.
2. Reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften.
3. Add the celery, red pepper, potatoes, old bay, cayenne, and flour. Stir to coat the vegetables with the spices.
4. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the sherry and scrape up any bits of vegetables that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot.
5. Add the fish stock and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and cooked through.
6. Add the crab, corn, and half and half. Heat through. Stir in lemon. Garnish with green onions and additional old bay if desired.

Serves 10. Each serving contains Calories 175, Fat 3 g, Protein 13 g, Fiber 3 g.

Skinny Mexican Corn Dip

Ingredients

• 4 cups corn kernels, canned or fresh (about 5 large ears fresh)
• 1 can (4.5 oz.) green chiles
• ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• ¼ cup diced red bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise made with olive oil
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• Chips for serving

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl until well combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired.
2. Serve with chips.

Tortilla Chicken Soup

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon peanut oil, divided
• 5 cups skinless boneless chicken breasts, chopped
• 3 medium onions, sliced
• ½ cup chopped celery
• 3 garlic cloves. Chopped
• 2 cups water
• 2 cans fat free less sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 28 ounce can tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 2 cans chopped green chilis
• 1 finely chopped pickled jalapeno pepper
• 4 corn tortillas cut into triangles
• Low fat sour cream for topping
• Cilantro for topping

Directions

1. Add oil, onion, and celery to a heated pan, sauté for 5 minutes, until tender. Add garlic, sauté 2
   minutes. Stir in water and broth, scraping pan to loosened brown bits. Stir in chicken, corn and
   next 5 ingredients (chili powder through jalapeno pepper). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and
   simmer 45 minutes.
   Stir in tortillas. Top with sour cream and cilantro sprigs, if desired.

Serves 5. Each serving contains Calories 394, Fat 10 g, Protein 32 g, Carbohydrates 44 g, Sodium 973 mg, Cholesterol 93 mg, Fiber 9 g.

Corn and Bean Salsa

Ingredients

• 3 cups chopped seeded tomato, about 3 medium
• ¾ cup chopped onion
• ½ chopped tomatillos, about 2 medium
• ¼ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• ¼ cup fresh corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh limejuice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon hot sauce

Directions

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and chill for two hours. Serve with chips.

Serves 4. Each serving contains Calories 15, Fat 0.2 g, Protein 0 g, Carbohydrates 3 g, Sodium 83 mg, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 1 g.

Tex Mex Pasta with Cheese and Corn

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 cups water
• 1¾ cups fresh Pico de Gallo
• 8 ounces whole-wheat rotini
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels
• 1½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sour cream, optional toppings

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add beef and onion; cook, stirring, until the beef is just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.
2. Cook for 1 minute. Add water, Pico de Gallo, pasta and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 13 to 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and sprinkle cheese over the mixture; stir until melted. Top each serving with scallions, cilantro, tomatoes and/or sour cream, if desired.

Serves 6. Each serving contains Calories 467, Fat 8 g, Protein 29 g, Carbohydrates 47 g, Sodium 698 mg, Cholesterol 76 mg, Fiber 8 g.