Savory 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.

CORN CUSTARD WITH CHORIZO AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter baking dish.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chorizo, stirring occasionally, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain briefly, then transfer chorizo to baking dish. Reserve fat in skillet.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil to fat in skillet and heat over moderately high heat, then sauté mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and mushrooms are browned, about 8 minutes. Add chile and sauté, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Transfer to baking dish with chorizo.
• Purée 2 cups corn with cream cheese, cornmeal, and sugar in a food processor until as smooth as possible (mixture will still be grainy).
• Whisk together eggs, milk, and salt in a large bowl until combined well. Whisk in corn purée, scallions, 1 1/2 cups cheese, and remaining 2 cups corn until combined. Pour mixture into baking dish and sprinkle evenly with remaining cup cheese.
• Bake until puffed, set, and golden, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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.