Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn

Now, if it was summer I certainly would’ve made this deconstructed Mexican style corn using peeled fresh corn-on-the-cob. But, sadly, it’s not summer. So I had to go with Plan B: use up some of the fantastic sweet corn I put up for winter. I didn’t char the corn, which really is a must to make this authentic street-style, but that’s ok. The dish is absolutely delicious none-the-less. It tastes and feels like summer, thanks mostly to the citrus. And it has just a little kick, which it needs to offset the sweetness of the corn.

Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn

Mayonnaise Is A Good Thing

Mayonnaise in corn may seem odd, but it makes the corn wonderfully creamy, but with a little tang that you wouldn’t get with something like cream. Every bite of this deconstructed Mexican style corn has that bit of tang. It’s refreshing and different.

Also try my slow cooker chili cheese corn.

Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn
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4 from 1 vote

Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn

The dish is absolutely delicious. It tastes and feels like summer, thanks mostly to the citrus. And it has just a little kick, which it needs to offset the sweetness of the corn.
Course Side
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword corn, Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 408kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 ears corn or about 4 cups of kernels
  • ½ red onion minced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup cotija cheese crumbled, divided (I substituted feta)
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder divided
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
  • 2 limes zested

Instructions

  • If you are using corn-on-the-cob, roast the corn on a grill or under the broiler. Let cool and then cut the kernels from the cobs.
  • If you are using corn kernels, you can roast them first on a sheet pan under the broiler, but keep an eye on them so they do not burn. Stir occasionally.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onions and saute for 5 minutes.
  • Add the corn and saute for another 5 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in half of the cheese, the mayonnaise and 1/2 teaspoon of chipotle chile powder. Season with salt to taste.
  • Serve sprinkled with the remaining cheese and chipotle chile powder, along with the chopped cilantro.

Notes

Add a little minced jalapeno for a nice kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 590mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 329IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Potatoes

Boy, crispy bacon… spicy Mexican chorizo sausage… cheese… I could actually just have these bacon-wrapped Mexican potatoes for dinner. By themselves. Nothing else. Just give me a platter of them and check on me in 15 minutes to see if I need more. Well, not ‘if’. Go ahead and bring me some more. They’re like grilled potato skins taken to a whole new level. There is so much flavor packed into every bite. What a happy day it was when I first made them!

Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Potatoes

Chorizo Adds Lots of Flavor

I love the spicy kick from chorizo in these bacon-wrapped Mexican potatoes. But, if you don’t, you can easily change these potatoes up to be a little more mellow by making them Italian-style. Substitute crumbled cooked mild Italian sausage for the chorizo, mozzarella for the queso fresco, and sour cream for the crema. Excellent! You’ll want to make a big batch and serve them as appetizers at your next party!

I recommend that you use a grill basket when making this dish. It makes cooking easier and you don’t have to worry about anything falling through the grates. And cleanup is easier too!

Also try my grilled volcano potatoes.

This recipe was inspired by a recipe from Aida Mollenkamp.

Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Potatoes
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4 from 1 vote

Bacon-Wrapped Mexican Potatoes

Boy, crispy bacon… spicy Mexican chorizo sausage… cheese… I could actually just have these bacon-wrapped Mexican potatoes for dinner. By themselves. Nothing else.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, potatoes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 20 potatoes
Calories 214kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425 F.
  • Brush potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast until tender, 20-30 minutes. Remove and let cool.
  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking (you can also make these in the oven, so keep your oven going if you’re going to cook these indoors).
  • Meanwhile, crumble the chorizo into a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until browned. Remove from heat. Note: You want to get the chorizo fairly well crumbled. If you are having trouble doing so, just let the cooked chorizo cool a bit then pulss a few times in a food processor.
  • Cut just enough of the bottom of each potato so that they can stand up straight. Then cut just enough off the top so you can scoop them out. Take a small mellon baller or spoon and spoon out the insides.
  • In a bowl combine the chorizo and cheese and spoon into each potato.
  • Wrap a halved piece of bacon around each potato and secure with a toothpick.
  • Place on the grill over indirect heat and cook until the bacon starts to crisp, about 20 minutes, or bake in the oven at 425 F.
  • Serve topped with a small dollop of Mexican crema or cream cheese and garnish with green onions or cilantro.

Notes

Cook a little extra bacon and crumble it on top of the finished potatoes for more bacon goodness!

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 799mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Country Coleslaw

Chef John Besh‘s book, Besh Big Easy, is full of easy-to-make recipes. The kind that I like. Southern- and Louisiana-inspired. Take this wonderful country coleslaw. It has your ‘usual’ ingredients, but with a twist (to me, at least). I’ve never had sweet pickle relish in a slaw, and I found it to be absolutely fantastic. So is the addition of rice wine vinegar. Great flavors out of such a simple dish. That’s key.

Country Coleslaw

Spice It Up!

I wouldn’t be afraid to add fresh jalapeno rings to this country coleslaw. My wife would tell me to not do it, though. I’d have to add it to my bowl and just enjoy the heat on my own. For more heat, try my firecracker slaw.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Also try my BBQ shack coleslaw.

Country Coleslaw
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5 from 1 vote

Country Coleslaw

This slaw has your ‘usual’ ingredients, but with a twist (to me, at least). I’ve never had sweet pickle relish in a slaw, and I found it to be absolutely fantastic. So is the addition of rice wine vinegar. Great flavors out of such a simple dish. That’s key.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, coleslaw, slaw
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 126kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the cabbage, onion, green onions, relish and carrot into a large bowl. Mix well.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Add to vegetables and fold to combine.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 777IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Potato Salad

This is the potato salad I’ve been dreaming about. The one I was hoping I would find. THE ONE. Pimento cheese? A house favorite. Jalapenos? Bacon? In darned near everything I make. Add the three together to make jalapeno pimento cheese potato salad and you’ve got the perfect storm of flavor goodness.

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Potato Salad

The Case Of The Disappearing Salad

I could sit down with the entire bowl of this jalapeno pimento cheese potato salad and just go to town on it in one sitting. Gone. All done. There is nothing about this that isn’t just flat-out fantastic.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

There’s no way I can think of to improve on this jalapeno pimento cheese potato salad. You could add some more jalapeno but it really doesn’t need it since there’s just the right amount of kick. You could add some more pimentos. But, nope, it doesn’t need that either. Just make it as is and enjoy it. This salad is a thingy of beauty and flavor. If you prefer your potato salad with a little less kick just fold my easy pimento cheese in with the potatoes.

Also try my smoked sausage potato salad and my yummy warm German potato salad.

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Potato Salad
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5 from 1 vote

Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Potato Salad

This is the potato salad I’ve been dreaming about. The one I was hoping I would find. THE ONE. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword pimento cheese, potato salad, spicy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 530kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the potatoes and boil until just tender.
  • Drain and let cool.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Carefully fold in the potatoes.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 811mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 379IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 238mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Carolina Slaw

Onions and bell peppers in a slaw, with a little vinegar kick and a little sweetness. That’s why this Carolina slaw is so good. And celery seed. I love celery seed (celery seed is one of my favorite ingredients in my Fire Eater rub). I make slaws often, just about any time of the year. They usually keep longer than a green salad. To keep your slaw lasting longer only dress the amount of slaw you are serving for a meal. Keep your leftover dressing separate so your slaw ingredients don’t get soggy overnight. Don’t wait until the last minute to dress it, you do want to give it a little time to get the cabbage and other ingredients ‘happy’.

Carolina Slaw

Great By Itself, Great On Hot Dogs

Slaw on hot dogs (and pulled pork BBQ sandwiches) is almost a requirement. Love that crunch! And this slaw matches up perfectly with my Carolina chicken wings.

I ended up using some of this Carolina slaw to top some grilled Carolina hot dogs.

Carolina Slaw
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5 from 1 vote

Carolina Slaw

Onions and bell peppers in a slaw, with a little vinegar kick and a little sweetness. That’s why this Carolina slaw is so good. And celery seed. 
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword cole slaw, coleslaw, slaw
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 5 cups
Calories 247kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the slaw mix, green pepper and onion in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour over the vegetables.
  • Toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Toss lightly before serving.

Notes

Add a little diced jalapeno for a nice kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 246mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 552IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Black Pepper Strawberries

Don’t you just love when an incredibly simple dish comes out so fantastic? I was looking for a little something to take to dinner at my wife’s sister’s house. Nothing big, just something fresh. Since strawberries were in season I picked up a few pints and made these delicious black pepper strawberries. The perfect combination of citrus and berry with a nice peppery twist. I even added a bit more pepper than the recipe called for (because I love freshly ground black pepper). Yummy!

Black Pepper Strawberries

Don’t Rush Things

You can’t skip on the time these black pepper strawberries need to sit in the fridge before you serve them. They need that hour to absorb some of pepper and citrus-flavored juices. Toss them just before serving.

Ray Lampe knows BBQ. And side dishes like this.

You can use a sugar substitute if you wish.

Also try my strawberry cheesecake salad.

Black Pepper Strawberries
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5 from 1 vote

Black Pepper Strawberries

The perfect combination of citrus and berry with a nice peppery twist. I even added a bit more pepper than the recipe called for (because I love freshly ground black pepper). Yummy!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword strawberry
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 69kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pints strawberries rinsed, dried, hulled and quartered
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • 1 large orange juiced
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Whipped cream

Instructions

  • Whisk the lemon juice, orange juice, sugar and pepper in a large bowl until combined.
  • Add the strawberries.
  • Toss gently to coat.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Serve topped with whipped cream.

Notes

Best when served immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 69IU | Vitamin C: 85mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix BBQ Beans

You can make BBQ beans at home in no time. Really great beans at that. So why grab a can of BBQ beans from the store? Sure, I’ve made scratch baked beans before (on the smoker and they were fantastic!). These aren’t those beans. Quick to fix, these BBQ beans still pack in the flavor.

Quick Fix BBQ Beans

The Sauce Makes The Beans

You can make these quick fix BBQ beans taste however you like just by changing which BBQ sauce you add. From smoky to spicy, you can’t go wrong. And speaking of spicy, for a little extra kick add a few sliced jalapenos. And for extra crunch, chop half of a medium sweet onion and toss that in too. You really cannot make a boo-boo when you make these beans.

If I’m reaching for a bottled BBQ sauce, I often go for Sweet Baby Ray’s.

If you have more time, try making my best BBQ beans on the planet (really, they are), Dinosaur-style BBQ beans, Peach BBQ beans, slow cooker beans and wieners and Tangy Pit Beans.

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5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix BBQ Beans

Why grab a can of pre-made BBQ beans at the store when you can make your own in no time at all.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue, BBQ, beans
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 78kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Combine all ingredients and pour into an 8″ x 8″ baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
  • Bake for 45 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly before serving as the sauce will be very hot.

Notes

Feel free to add some minced jalapeno for a little kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 403IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Corn on the Cob Maque Choux

This corn on the cob maque choux is a fun twist on the classic southern Louisiana dish. Lightly caramelized onions and peppers cooked with spicy tasso, served over grilled fresh corn on the cob. Every bite is a combination of sweetness and smokiness with just a hint of spicy.

Corn on the Cob Maque Choux

Great Tastes In Every Bite

The topping on the corn on the cob maque choux is also great on other dishes, such as grilled hamburgers or hot dogs. It’s really packed with flavor and takes almost no time to make.

Tasso may be hard to find depending on where you live. You can substitute bacon, or if you have a smoker (I use my Weber smoker), make your own. It takes a little time and effort to make, but oh boy is it ever worth it.

If you use a particularly spicy tasso you might want to cut back on the Cajun seasoning.

Also try my spiced corn on the cob.

Corn on the Cob Maque Choux
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4 from 1 vote

Corn on the Cob Maque Choux

This corn on the cob maque choux is a fun twist on the classic southern Louisiana dish. Lightly caramelized onions and peppers cooked with spicy tasso, served over grilled fresh corn on the cob. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword corn-on-the-cob
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 servings
Calories 261kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 ears corn cooked however you wish

For the topping

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion sliced
  • 1 medium bell pepper green or red, sliced
  • 4 ounces tasso ham chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ stick unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Instructions

  • While the corn is cooking heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and bell pepper and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Add the tasso (or bacon) and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, butter and Cajun seasoning. Stir until the butter melts and the vegetables and tasso get lightly caramelized.
  • Spoon generously over cooked corn.

Notes

You can substitute bacon for the tasso.

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2054IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Cream Corn with Gorgonzola Cheese

Wow. I grew up eating a lot of canned cream corn. This isn’t that cream corn. This is something completely special and beyond delicious. From the first bite my wife and I just looked at each other. It was the ‘oh my goodness this is fantastic’ look. Grilled cream corn with a creamy Gorgonzola cheese sauce that is incredible. I can’t say enough just how much we enjoyed this dish.

Grilled Cream Corn with Gorgonzola Cheese

No Fresh Corn? No Problem.

If you can’t get fresh corn-on-the-cob you can substitute canned corn. You can still make a delicious grilled cream corn with Gorgonzola cheese. Just drain it well first and spread it out on a baking dish and place under the broiler until it starts to char just a bit. Or you can actually skip the roasting and just use the corn right out of the can (after draining).

I like to use my good ole trusty Dutch oven to make this corn and pretty much darned near anything like it on my stovetop. It’s nice and big and sturdy. That extra weight helps it maintain and distribute heat perfectly. As an added bonus, it’s actually pretty easy to clean up too!

I love grilled corn. Try my corn-on-the-cob slathered with Sriracha mayonnaise and my corn with southwestern butter.

Grilled Cream Corn with Gorgonzola Cheese
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Cream Corn with Gorzgonzola Cheese

This is something completely special and beyond delicious. From the first bite my wife and I just looked at each other. It was the ‘oh my goodness this is fantastic’ look. 
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword corn-on-the-cob, grilled
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 217kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for cooking over direct heat.
  • Lightly brush the corn with oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Place over direct heat and grill until just tender and lightly charred, rotating often.
  • Remove corn and let cool slightly before cutting off the kernels using a sharp knife.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the corn. Add more salt and pepper, to taste, if needed.
  • Stir and cook until the corn is completely tender, 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in the cornstarch and cook another minute.
  • Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  • Pour half of the corn mixture into a blender. Let cool slightly then puree until smooth. Return to the skillet with the rest of the corn.
  • Add the milk and cheese and stir.
  • Serve warm garnished with chopped parsley.

Notes

You can use regular blue cheese instead of the gorgonzola.

Nutrition

Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 824IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Jarred Grilled Pickles

Want to surprise everyone at your next picnic or get-together? Bring jarred grilled pickles. Everyone will want to know how you did it. You don’t have to admit how easy it was, unless you really want to. The pickles do get a little char flavor, but not much. They still taste like, well, dill pickles, but when you bite into them they have just slightly less crunch. The grilled red onions do add a nice light onion flavor and bite.

Jarred Grilled Pickles

What Pickles Should Be

These jarred grilled pickles are good for 5 days. My guess is that you won’t have to worry about rushing to eat them on the last day that they’re good. And don’t feel like you have to grill only spears. Sliced pickles or even whole pickles can be grilled just as well. If you don’t want to grill the pickles but still want a hint of grilled flavor, just grill some red onion and then add that to a jar of pickles and refrigerate overnight. You’ll get that hint of smoke but the pickles themselves will be totally crispy.

If you can’t fit all of the pickles back into the original jar just grab some Mason jars instead.

If that’s enough, try pickling hot dogs too. They’re definitely different. And good!

Jarred Grilled Pickles
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5 from 1 vote

Jarred Grilled Pickles

Want to surprise everyone at your next picnic or get-together? Bring a jar of grilled pickles. Everyone will want to know how you did it.
Course Side or Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, pickles
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 1 jar
Calories 56kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 26 ounce dill pickle spears
  • 1 red onion cut into 8 small wedges (you can keep the root end on to help keep the onion wedges together)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Drain the brine from the jar into a large bowl.
  • Remove the pickles and lay onto a few sheets of paper towels.
  • Dab with the paper towels to dry as well as you can.
  • Transfer the pickles to another large bowl.
  • Add the onion and drizzle with the oil.
  • Toss gently to coat.
  • Fire up your grill.
  • Place pickles and onions onto the grill and grill on all sides until you get grill marks.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before returning pickles to the jar.
  • Add the onions and the reserved brine.
  • Seal and refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Use within 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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