Spicy Corn

My son’s favorite side dish in the whole world.  .

It started as a topping for "baked potato night" during Lent when he was little, and it slowly  became a side dish of its own.  He always makes sure it’s on the Thanksgiving menu, and for good reason: it's really good on the same fork with turkey and sweet potatoes.  It’s the one flavor combination that was missing all these years:  we had the saltiness of the turkey and the gravy; the cloying sweet potato puree;  the buttery, creamy, mashed potatoes;  the tartness of the cranberry sauce;  and finally now the spicy heat of the corn.  I kick myself for not thinking of it sooner.

Maybe work this into your Thanksgiving menu on Thursday.  You’ll be so glad you did  :)

--------------------------------------------------------

WHAT TO BUY:

1  29-ounce can of whole kernel corn, drained
red pepper flakes
butter
cream cheese
Monterey Jack cheese
parmesan cheese (for this recipe, the green can is fine)
salt/pepper
whole milk

This dish takes maybe 5 or 6 minutes to make.  If you're using it as a side dish, start it while your meat is resting...it's that quick!  Also...I only know how to make it, not how to measure it, so bear with me...

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in deep skillet. 

melted butter

Add corn and sauté over medium high heat until heated through.  

sautéed corn

Sprinkle with red pepper flakes--if your jar has the holes in the top, shake ...yes I swear...7 or 8 times into the corn.  Uncap milk and pour a little into the pan, counting to 3 (like:  1, 2, 3, stop pouring...).  Add salt and pepper to taste and saute until heated through.  The more you heat the corn with the red and black pepper in it, the spicier it will become.  

Add 1 tablespoon cream cheese.  Turn heat to medium low and stir into the corn until incorporated and the mixture becomes hot and bubbly.  Let simmer a minute and you should now see it becoming thick.  Pour into your serving dish.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top, and freshly grate Monterey jack over that.  It will melt by the time it gets to the table.  Serve immediately.  (Serves 4)