Elote Summer Gnocchi Recipes

ELOTE SUMMER GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Preheat a stovetop or outdoor grill over high heat. Rub the corn with the oil and place on the hot grill. Cook, turning often, until the corn is charred all around, about 8 minutes total. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before cutting the kernels off the cob.
• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with the butter. Once melted, stir in the shallot, garlic and half of the corn. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne.
• Add the cream cheese and heavy cream and cook over low heat until the mixture has reduced by half, and slightly thickened.
• In the meantime, bring a large pot of cold water to a boil. Season liberally with salt, and add the gnocchi. Cook according to package directions. Remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the gnocchi and add it to the sauce.
• Stir the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir in the cotija cheese, and lime juice. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning accordingly, adding more salt or pepper as needed. Garnish with the remaining corn, cilantro and paprika.

SUPER SUMMERY CORN GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for cooking at medium heat and lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the corn and chiles, turning every few minutes, until the corn is tender and browned in spots and the chiles are nicely charred, about 8 minutes for the corn and about 4 minutes for the chiles. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.
• When they are cool enough to handle, stem and deseed the chiles (keep some of the seeds if you prefer a spicier dish). Finely chop the chiles and transfer to a medium bowl. Using a sharp chef's knife, cut the kernels off the corn cobs. Using the back of the knife, scrape along the cobs to release the starchy, milky liquid and any remaining kernels. Using a slotted spoon, transfer half the kernels to the same bowl as the chiles and set aside; keep the remaining half of the kernels and the corn "milk" separate. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, a pinch of salt and a couple grinds of pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, turmeric and coriander and cook until the garlic is tender and the spices are lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in the reserved corn kernels and corn "milk" and cook until warmed through. Stir in the broth, half-and-half and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, bring the mixture to a simmer and then remove from the heat.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the corn mixture into a very smooth and creamy sauce. Alternatively, transfer to a blender and blend on high speed until very smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep the corn sauce warm in the saucepan over low heat.
• When the water boils, salt it and cook the gnocchi according to the package directions. Drain well. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place half the gnocchi in the skillet and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the gnocchi and continue to cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi.
• Just before serving, stir the basil, parsley, vinegar and remaining 1 tablespoon oil into the reserved corn and chile mixture until combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Spoon the corn sauce into 4 shallow dinner bowls and place the crispy gnocchi on top. Garnish with the corn and chile salad.

CAST-IRON ELOTE

Steps:

• Add the butter to a 14-inch cast-iron skillet and heat over medium-high heat until melted. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and a generous pinch of salt and pepper and continue to saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the corn kernels, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper, increase the heat to high and saute until the corn is warmed through and slightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and season with additional salt if desired. Drizzle with half of the lime juice.
• Stir together the mayonnaise and remaining lime juice in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the corn with the mayonnaise mixture and sprinkle with the Cotija, cilantro and chili powder. Serve warm.