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Fresh Corn Salad

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on June 14, 2012

Time

30 minutes, plus 20 minutes cooling and 30 minutes resting

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Fresh Corn Salad

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ½-inch piecesSalt and pepper 2 scallions, sliced thin1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil 5 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley

Before You Begin

Don’t add the tomatoes to the toasted corn until it is cool, as the heat from the corn will partially cook the tomatoes.

Instructions

  1. Toss tomatoes and ½ teaspoon salt in bowl. Transfer to colander set over bowl and let drain for 30 minutes. Combine scallions, vinegar, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Slowly whisk in 1½ tablespoons oil.
  2. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until spotty brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer corn to bowl with vinaigrette, tossing to coat, and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Stir in drained tomatoes and parsley. Let sit until flavors meld, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. (Salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
Fresh Corn Salad

Fresh Corn Salad

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes, plus 20 minutes cooling and 30 minutes resting

Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ½-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
2 scallions, sliced thin
1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
5 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs
¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ½-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
2 scallions, sliced thin
1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
5 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs
¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 tomatoes, cored and cut into ½-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
2 scallions, sliced thin
1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
5 ears corn, kernels cut from cobs
¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

Corn tossed with fresh tomatoes and a bright vinaigrette seems basic, but bland corn, limp tomatoes, and watery dressing reared their heads. To prevent the tomatoes from flooding the dressing with weepy juices, we first salted and drained them. Next, we toasted the corn for nutty depth and transferred it to the zippy dressing while it was still warm to soak up flavor. Finally, we stirred the tomatoes into the cool mixture to sit just until the flavors melded.

Before You Begin

Don’t add the tomatoes to the toasted corn until it is cool, as the heat from the corn will partially cook the tomatoes.

Instructions

  1. Toss tomatoes and ½ teaspoon salt in bowl. Transfer to colander set over bowl and let drain for 30 minutes. Combine scallions, vinegar, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Slowly whisk in 1½ tablespoons oil.
  2. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until spotty brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer corn to bowl with vinaigrette, tossing to coat, and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Stir in drained tomatoes and parsley. Let sit until flavors meld, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. (Salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.)

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