Fresh corn in 5 ways: from a wonderful creamy soup to a dessert

If you bought too much corn at the market or have a few corncobs left over from a picnic, you can use it up in these five delicious ways.

1. Creamy corn soup

Creamy corn soup is one of the most popular summer dishes. All you need is corn kernels, onions, potatoes, and a little cream.

First fry the corn kernels with the onion, add the diced potatoes and pour over the vegetable stock. When the vegetables are soft, blend everything together into a smooth soup. Add the cream, season to taste and simmer the soup for a while. For a finishing touch, add some crispy bacon or chives.

Tip: Save some of the cooked grains and add them whole to the soup at the end to make the texture more interesting.

Corn is also a basic ingredient in the popular Istrian stew called bobiči. You can find the recipe HERE.

2. Summer salad with corn

Corn also goes great in light summer salads.

Toss cooked or grilled beans with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and feta cheese. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, add chopped fresh basil or cilantro, and you have a refreshing dish that can also serve as a lunch on its own.

These salads are also great for picnics because you can prepare them in advance.

3. Corn fritters

When you have leftover cooked corn kernels, turn them into crispy patties or fritters.

Mix the grains with egg, flour, finely chopped spring onion and a little grated cheese. Form small balls from the mixture, roll them in breadcrumbs if desired and fry in a pan until golden brown. Serve them with yogurt sauce, sour cream or homemade tomato salsa. You can see the detailed recipe HERE.

It's a great idea for a quick dinner or a snack while hanging out in the garden.

4. Mexican-style corn

In Mexico, a popular dish is elote, roasted corn spread with mayonnaise, cheese, and spices.

Grill or bake the corn cobs, then spread them with a thin layer of mayonnaise, sprinkle with grated cheese, chili, and fresh lime juice. The result is a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.

If you want a slightly lighter version, you can replace some of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

5. Corn cake

Yes, corn also works great in desserts.

Cornmeal or finely ground corn kernels create a light, moist texture that pairs well with lemon, orange, vanilla, and honey. Corn cake is a popular summer dessert that is not overly sweet and can be served with fresh fruit or a scoop of ice cream.

You can also make sweet corn cake from corn flour - a simple but extremely delicious dessert from the times of our grandmothers, made from basic ingredients that we almost always have at home. The recipe is HERE.

You can also try muffins with corn and blueberries, as the combination works surprisingly well.

Don't throw away even a cob

Once you've cut the kernels off the cob, don't throw them away. Many chefs recommend using them to make a vegetable stock. Simply simmer the cobs with vegetables and spices. This way you'll get the last of the sweet corn flavor.

Corn is much more than just a side dish

Although most people associate corn with barbecues and summer picnics, it's an incredibly versatile ingredient. You can use it to make a creamy soup, a hearty salad, crispy fries, a popular street food, or even a dessert. The next time you bring home a few extra cobs, don't always cook them the same way, but try one of these ideas and your summer menu will be instantly more interesting.

Viri: Good Housekeeping, BBC Good Food, Simply Recipes.