I can’t with this salad.
Pan-Roasted Tuscan Corn Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Sorry. It was worth repeating.
One of the first salads I made for Ciao Chow Bambina almost two summers ago was Ina Garten’s Fresh Corn Salad. It was a favorite then and it’s a favorite now. But I got to thinking, what can we do with a salad that’s already so pleasing…I mean, is it possible to improve upon perfection? And then it hit me. Garlic. Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Pepperoncini.
I guess the answer is, yes, it is possible.
Are you surprised? I didn’t think so.
This is what you’d call a recipe re-do. How fun is that?
I’ve taken all the fresh, tasty ingredients of the original recipe and enhanced them with a few Tuscan flavors and colors that take me right back to 2006 and our first trip to Italy.
Actually, it takes me back to the ride we took on the Eurostar from Rome to Florence, where we passed field upon field of sunflowers as high as the sky. My hunch is there were some poppies scattered about, too. It was a hot summer’s day, sun all ablaze, and the flowers of Tuscany seemed to only part ways for the train track to run through. It was all we could see for miles. Flowers the color of corn. Stunning.
So, I had the idea to prepare this salad for Memorial Day. The three kids will be home and I want to load ’em up with flavors they love. We’re heading to Philly this weekend as Nick’s team made it to the NCAA Finals for DII Lacrosse! Oh man! The girls are meeting us there and then traveling back home for the long weekend. Dom and I are busting to get there and be all together to cheer on our Dolphins! Go Phins!
I’ll keep you posted on that!
In the meantime, enjoy this salad.
Fresh kernels straight from the cob roasted in a little bath of garlic-y butter and olive oil. Once the corn is just tender, actually, I prefer to describe it as al dente, like we do our pasta…tender with a bite, you’ll mix it with diced red onion, chopped sun-dried tomato and pepperoncini and julienned basil. Top with a nice Italian vinaigrette, a little salt and pepper to taste, and you’ve got yourself summer in a bowl.
Good timing!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Pan-Roasted Tuscan Corn Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Category: Salad
Ingredients
- 6 ears of corn, husks and silks removed
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 plump clove garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup small-diced red onion
- 3/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomato
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup julienned fresh sweet basil leaves
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- When husks and silks are removed, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.
- In a large nonstick sauté pan over medium high heat, warm the butter and olive oil until butter is completely melted.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until it releases its aroma and just begins to brown, about 30 seconds.
- Add the corn and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden and just tender, about 7 – 8 minutes.
- Transfer the corn to a bowl and let cool.
- Add the remaining ingredients – red onion, sun-dried tomato, pepperoncini, basil, vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper.
- Toss until fully combined.
- Adjust the seasoning as you like.
- Serve at room temperature.
Wait! I’m not done…How ’bout I share a few more of my favorite summer salads just in case you missed them the first time around…
And check out these fabulous recipes from around the web…
Blueberry, Nectarine & Burrata Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette from Eats Well With Others
Lemon Garlic Orzo with Roasted Veggies from Vanilla And Bean
Mediterranean Style Rainbow Quinoa Salad from Cooking LSL
Spring Couscous Primavera from No Spoon Necessary
Okay…now I’m done!
Have a happy and safe Memorial Day, my friends!
Ciao!
This salad looks amazing! Perfect for summer, out door BBQ’s and family fun!! Love those flavors and my favorite veggie is corn. Yum!! So making this asap! 🙂
Thank you so much! I think you’re really going to like it, Cyndi!! 🙂
So happy that corn season is here! This salad looks awesome!!
You and me, both, Trish! Love it! Thank you, friend!!
Oooh these flavors! I love this salad Annie. It just screams ‘summer’ to me! Enjoy your weekend!
Yes, summer!!! Thanks, dear!!
Love the pop of flavor from the sundried tomatoes and lovely colors. Pinned!
Thanks, Medha! And thanks for the pin!
This salad looks absolutely mouthwatering! Love how you made an amazing recipe even better! The sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini and garlic are brilliant! This is the perfect summer salad!
Thanks so much, Kelly! 🙂
I was just thinking this morning that I needed an awesome picnic kind of dish… and here it is! I think I’ll throw in some grilled chicken and make a meal out of it! Thanks for the great recipe, and I hope you have a great weekend!
Oh wow! I love the idea of adding chicken! See that – improved upon again!! Have a great weekend, Kari!
This corn salad looks beautiful! Love the vibrant colour and the gorgeous flavours!
Thanks, lady!! 🙂
Annie, this salad looks incredible! I made a corn and tomato salad last summer, but I’m love this version even better. So perfect for all of that fresh farmer’s market corn! Pinned!
Yum! I’m going to have to try it with fresh tomatoes…so fresh and delicious! Thanks, Gayle!
I say yes to the recipe re-do and I say yes to this salad! Corn just sings summer especially when it’s grilled. I’m so happy for you that your whole family will be together for the holiday weekend. Good luck Nick and go Phins!
It does sing summer! I love that! And better that the corn sing than me! 🙂 I will pass your good luck on to Nick!! Thanks, Rachelle!! Happy Weekend!
Annie! the other thing, other than berries and peaches that I can’t get enough of in the summer, is CORN! I love fresh corn and corn salads!!!! I LOVE this!!!
Yes!!!! I completely agree! Corn everything!! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Nothing says “summer” like fresh corn – love it!! I’m sure Ina would be impressed with your Italian spin 🙂
Gosh, we love our sweet corn! Hahah! Do you think she’s seen it? 🙂 🙂
This salad is perfect for this time of the year! Love the flavor, perfect! Have a great holiday weekend Annie!
All the colors of summer! Thanks, dear! Have a great weekend!
I love it when an older recipe, a great one no less, inspires another… and another! This one is no different! Corn is an icon of summer as are sunflowers. I can hardly imagine the breathtaking beauty of fields and fields of sunflowers! What a sight! Roasted corn is a late summer favorite around here and I’m looking forward to making this delicious salad, Annie!
Sounds like a very full weekend, but you’ll all be together for the game and festivities! What fun!
That’s the best, isn’t it? The evolution of food. I know you’re planning a trip to Italy…I am excited for you! We’ll be the best kind of busy this weekend! Thanks, dear! Have a happy weekend!
I.Can. and I.Will devour this salad like it’s nobodies darn buisness. This corn salad looks unbelievably fresh, fantastic and absolutely delicious! I LOVE your recipe redo! Your additions take this one to a whole new level of YUM!! The epitome of summer in a bowl. I’m making this over the weekend for sure! I am already salivating at the thought of this getting in my belly♡ beautiful salad and gorgeous photography, my friend! Xoxo. Oh! And thank you so much for the link love! Cheers 🙂
Music to my ears, Cheyanne! You go for it!! Hahah! Thanks, my dear! Enjoy your summer in a bowl!
Annie, you totally made a great recipe even better! Not only have you amped up the flavor, but aesthetically speaking you’ve made it pop with the bright red sun dried tomatoes! Gorgeous!
Ahhh! Thanks, dear! This one’s a keeper! Happy Weekend!