Description
A gentle, self-care side dish featuring charred corn tossed in a spicy, tangy chili lime crema. This recipe is quick, requires minimal effort, and delivers vibrant flavors perfect for when you need comfort without the stress of cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium shallot, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup feta or Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Chili flakes, for serving
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Dice the shallot and mince the garlic. If using fresh corn, cut kernels off the cob.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming.
- Add the shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
- Add the corn to the skillet, spreading it in an even layer. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes without stirring to allow charring.
- Stir the corn and cook for another 3-4 minutes until tender and slightly crispy.
- While the corn cooks, whisk together the crema, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin in a small bowl until smooth.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the chili lime crema over the hot corn and toss gently to coat.
- Transfer to a bowl and top with crumbled cheese, cilantro, chili flakes, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Do not crowd the pan to ensure the corn chars rather than steams. Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. This dish is best eaten immediately as the crema thickens and corn loses crispness upon cooling. For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast. For a protein boost, add shrimp or black beans.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 8
Keywords: Mexican Esquites, chili lime corn, self-care recipe, quick side dish, vegetarian, gluten-free, comfort food, street corn