Carolina Corn Custard Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S CREAMY CORN CUSTARD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Butter six 6-ounce glass or ceramic ramekins. Set ramekins into a 2-inch deep baking dish.
• Place corn into a large saucepan and stir in cream, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat; stir in milk.
• Transfer corn mixture to a blender and pulse several times to get the mixture moving. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy.
• Whisk egg yolks with eggs until smooth in a mixing bowl. Slowly whisk about 1/4 cup hot corn mixture into eggs until the corn mixture is incorporated. Repeat several times more until all the corn mixture is combined with eggs.
• Divide corn mixture equally into the 6 ramekins. Pour hot tap water into the baking dish to come about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
• Bake in the preheated oven until custards are just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Let custards cool for about 10 minutes before serving in ramekins or unmolding onto serving plates. To unmold, insert a knife between the custard and the ramekin, go around the edge with knife to loosen, and turn over onto a plate to unmold.

CREAMY CORN CUSTARD

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine corn, cream, milk, salt, and cayenne in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often. Remove pan from heat and let mixture cool slightly.
• Carefully pour mixture into a blender and puree until very smooth. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Butter six 6-ounce ramekins and place them in a 9 - by 13-inch baking dish.
• Combine the eggs and egg yolks in a large bowl and whisk for 30 seconds.
• Slowly add the warm custard mixture to the eggs, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until blended.
• Ladle mixture into prepared ramekins and place in baking dish. Pour hot tap water into baking dish to come about halfway up the sides of ramekins.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until corn custard is just set. Remove ramekins from water in baking dish and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

CORN CUSTARD

Steps:

• Sprinkle corn and red pepper in greased 6 cup shallow casserole dish.
• Whisk together eggs, sour cream, cheese, salt and pepper; pour over corn mixture.
• Bake in 350f degrees oven for 1 hour or until top is golden brown and slightly puffed.

CAROLINA CORN CUSTARD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a food processor or blender, combine corn, cheese, eggs, cream, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Process briefly until corn is just broken down.
• Pour into a buttered 4-cup baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned.

GARLIC CUSTARDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degree F.
• Brush a whole garlic head with olive oil. Wrap it in foil and bake for 2 hours. Let garlic cool enough to handle, then cut off the top of the garlic head and squeeze the soft cloves out onto a cutting board. Using the side of a broad knife, mash the cloves slightly. (This may be done up to a week in advance. Refrigerate roasted garlic.)
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Butter 8 (4-ounce) ramekins. Blend the custard ingredients together thoroughly. Pour into the ramekins and place them in a baking pan. Place the pan in the oven and carefully add hot water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, but you may leave the custards in the water bath to keep warm for up to 20 minutes. You may wish to prepare the Salsa Fresca and the Vinaigrette while the custards bake, and the Herbed Hazelnuts while the custards stay warm after baking.
• To serve, turn the custards out of their ramekins onto plates. Spoon warm Vinaigrette over each one and sprinkle with warm Herbed Hazelnuts.
• Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small saucepan and heat gently. Set aside to keep warm.
• Melt the butter in a skillet and saute the hazelnuts with their seasonings until the nuts are well coated. Chop coarsely.
• Mix all the ingredients together. For best results, let salsa stand at least half an hour before serving or incorporating into recipe. Use within 24 hours. (The Vinaigrette calls for 1 cup. Enjoy the remaining 2 cups in Tortilla Soup or just with chips.)

CAROLINA CATFISH STEW

Steps:

• Cut catfish fillets into 2-inch cubes. Put in a resealable plastic bag with 2 tablespoons olive oil and Cajun seasoning. Seal bag and shake until fish is thoroughly coated; place in the refrigerator while you prepare the stew.
• Preheat a large stockpot over high heat. Add butter and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add bacon, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; saute until onions are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add tomato juice, tomato sauce, and tomato puree, then stir in sugar, Italian seasoning, and cayenne. Add potatoes and corn and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until potatoes are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Drop in catfish and simmer until fish is tender and cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes; make sure you don't break up the fish.
• To serve, season with hot sauce and Worcestershire.