Chipotle Corn Salad with Grilled Bacon
YOU ’ LL NEED : Grill
If there ’ s a vegetable that loves the grill , it ’ s corn . Caramelizing the natural sugars , adding a little bit of chipotle heat , then kissing it with a little bacon . . . the only thing I warn you is that you cannot live on this alone . You must eat other things .
SERVES
4
TIME
30 min
6 ears of corn , in the husk 4 slices applewood smoked bacon 2 poblano peppers 2 scallions ¼ cup diced red bell pepper ¼ cup diced sweet onion
Dressing
½ cup sour cream ½ cup ranch dressing 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon agave syrup 1 chipotle in adobo minced 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
PREP-AHEAD
TIP : Mise en place everything ahead of time on this one — chop everything , roast the poblanos , and cook the bacon . The dressing can be made 1 or 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge . But cooking and shucking the corn is best left to the last minute , as the corn will stay nice and bright and juicy .
1 . Carefully peel back the husks from the corn without detaching them from the bottom . Remove the silk from the corn , fold the husks back around the ears , and soak the ears in water for 30 to 45 minutes . Weigh down the ears so they are fully submerged .
2 . Preheat a grill to medium-high . Drain the corn , open the husks , and dry the ears with paper towels . Fold the husks back over the corn and grill , turning often , for 3 to 4 minutes per side , turning 3 times .
3 . While the corn is grilling , grill the bacon on the other half of the grill until crispy and golden brown and the poblanos and scallions until charred . Remove all items and set aside .
4 . Once the corn is cool enough to handle , cut the kernels from the cob , finely dice the scallions , seed and dice the poblano , and chop the bacon into bite-size pieces , placing everything in a large bowl . Mix in the bell pepper and onion .
5 . Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl . Dress the salad lightly and serve .