Simple Fresh Corn & Tomato Salad

Name: Simple Fresh Corn & Tomato Salad
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cobs' worth of fresh, sweet corn kernels (how to remove kernels from corn HERE); 2 Tablespoons olive oil (1 for sauteing corn, 1 for dressing); 2 medium beefsteak tomatoes (heirlooms are great if you can get 'em), cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 1/4-1/2 small sweet onion, minced; 5-6 leaves basil, chiffonaded/chopped (fresh mint, parsley, and cilantro also work well); 2-2.5 Tablespoons white or red wine vinegar or fresh lemon or lime juice; 1/4-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) sugar; a few shakes or grinds of black pepper

x @cook_5886383

If your corn is exceptionally sweet, you can use the kernels raw, and you'll have an even fresher, crisper salad to enjoy in less time. But sauteing the corn does bring out a different flavor and texture, and each variation is worth trying at least once.

If you're going to saute your corn, I suggest you do that first, set the corn aside in your salad bowl to cool, give it a couple of stirs or tosses to release some of the heat, and then do your knifework on the rest of the ingredients while the corn cools.

And you already know I'm not such a stickler for upscale ingredients, but if you can get your hands on some sweet, flavorful heirloom tomatoes, they really do make the salad better.

If you'd like to give it a slightly more complex flavor, some optional spices that would work well individually in this salad in small amounts (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoonful): cumin, chipotle, smoked paprika, coriander, or even a little curry powder.

And you already know I'm not such a stickler for upscale ingredients, but if you can get your hands on some sweet, flavorful heirloom tomatoes, they really do make the salad better.

x @cook_5886383

And you already know I'm not such a stickler for upscale ingredients, but if you can get your hands on some sweet, flavorful heirloom tomatoes, they really do make the salad better.

Saved

Ingredients

2cobs' worth of fresh, sweet corn kernels (how to remove kernels from corn HERE)
2 Tablespoonsolive oil (1 for sauteing corn, 1 for dressing)
2medium beefsteak tomatoes (heirlooms are great if you can get 'em), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4-1/2small sweet onion, minced
5-6 leavesbasil, chiffonaded/chopped (fresh mint, parsley, and cilantro also work well)
2-2.5 Tablespoonswhite or red wine vinegar or fresh lemon or lime juice
1/4-1/2 teaspoonkosher salt
1 pinch(about 1/8 teaspoon) sugar
a fewshakes or grinds of black pepper

Saved

Steps

1

If you're going to saute your corn, preheat your pan and 1 Tablespoon oil to medium high heat, add the corn and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until most of the kernels start to turn translucent. Set aside in salad bowl and cool as suggested above.
2

Add in the rest of the ingredients, starting with the lower end of the seasoning measurements, and give the salad a few gentle folds to evenly incorporate all the ingredients and seasonings.
3

Adjust seasoning if needed. If you have time to chill it in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes before serving, that's ideal, but no biggie if you don't.
4

Enjoy! :)