A Note from Teri
This is the kind of recipe that makes some people smile but makes other people wonder why on earth you’d mess with perfectly lovely summer sweet corn.
Here’s what I think: cooking should be fun! Lily was so excited about this recipe, that she jumped in and gave it a try!
To oversimplify, there seem to be two kinds of cooks: those who believe recipes and cooking should be done the way they’ve always been done, and those who love to play. I’m firmly in the second camp. I love honoring tradition, but what’s not to love about a fun little detour? Trying trends, seeing what works, laughing if it flops, and occasionally creating a new family favorite makes my life better. And at the end of the day, what I really care about is whether it’s delicious.
Whenever I share a recipe with an unexpected twist, there’s always a little debate in the comments. I kind of love that. Food brings people together, it sparks conversation, and sometimes it causes passionate disagreement. That’s part of the fun! Nobody is taking your classic sweet corn away, people. This is simply a new, fun way to celebrate one of summer’s greatest gifts.
But here’s something funny: I’m a total stickler about the correct way to butter corn: hot corn, stick of butter, salt, and roll. I believe there are so many ways of doing things but for buttering corn, there is only one correct way.
No doubt, beautiful, fresh, sweet summer corn is what makes this recipe shine. Remember: you barely need to cook fresh corn. Just a few minutes keep it bright, juicy, and full of flavor. Once it’s cooked, we take a playful turn with crushed Hot Cheetos, creamy toppings, lime, and a sprinkle of Celtic Sea Salt®.
My kitchen is full of brainstorming. Fernanda and I are constantly texting ideas back and forth, or talking about food on the phone. We love collaborating and she’s sort of like my food muse, and there is no better food muse than she is. Collaboration is one of my favorite parts of recipe creation, and we love to try each other’s ideas and make them next level. This Hot Cheeto Corn was the result of one of those conversations, and since Lily was feeling so enthusiastic about it, she went ahead and made it.
If Hot Cheeto Corn isn’t your thing, that’s perfectly okay. Make your favorite corn recipe. We have a corn risotto, a summer corn pasta, and a corn trio! But if you’re feeling a little adventurous, absolutely give this one a try. Summer cooking is the best time to loosen the rules, embrace a little whimsy, and remember that food is meant to bring joy. Summer is the time to loosen the rules, embrace a little whimsy, and remember that food is meant to bring joy. Imagine beginning meal planning with one simple question: What if we just had a little fun?
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The Last Crumb
Lately, I've found myself wanting to share more of what I'm actually eating, not just recipes for special occasions. Mini meals have completely taken over my summer! They're fresh, protein-rich, easy to throw together, and simply make eating feel fun. We've got a whole series to share, and they’re typically high-protein. So delicious. If you've been here for a while, you already know I'm a jar girlie, so of course these salads are all layered up in little jars. I love opening the fridge and seeing my new favorite grab-and-go lunches, afternoon snacks, and honestly, sometimes dinner too. I can't wait to share them with you.
Other recipes to make this week:
I am so excited about our Smashburger Recipe with Special Sauce! It’s a favorite that has gotten a bit of a glow-up. As you may have noticed, we’re obsessed with summer corn in this kitchen. We just posted a fun little blog post about The Fancy Corn Trio! It’s just as much fun to eat as it is to make! Absolutely make my Summer Risotto with Corn and Zucchini and we can’t forget about my amazing Summer Steak And Grilled Corn Salad.
xoxo,
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Love this and all the summer eats! Thank you for sharing!💛