Summer might be winding down, but corn season is still going strong. To celebrate, I tested four celebrity corn - salad recipes to find the best one.
Reese is a Southern girl, so I had high hopes for her family's corn salad. But it didn't have typical Southern ingredients like mayo, bacon, beans, or green peppers. Instead, it was the lightest and freshest option.
The recipe, from Reese's grandma Dorothea, is full of summer herbs like basil, cilantro, chives, tarragon, and parsley. It's tossed with a zippy shallot - Dijon vinaigrette. This is the only recipe that keeps the corn raw, letting its sweetness shine. Just make sure to use the best in - season corn. It's quick to make and simple, but it lacks something rich like cheese or bacon.
I tried dipping tortilla chips in it like @BakedByMelissa, and it was great as a corn salad - salsa hybrid.
I included Ree Drummond's Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette. Since I don't have a grill, I used my cast - iron skillet to get the same charred effect. The charred corn and onion added a lovely savory flavor.
This salad is hearty, with grilled corn, pinto beans, avocado, and yellow tomatoes. The cilantro dressing is easy to make in a food processor, but it needed a bit of salt. The pimiento peppers added color, but I wished they were spicier. The avocado added richness, but it was missing a salty or crunchy element.
I was really excited to try Pepper Teigen's corn salad. With ingredients like bacon, fish sauce, and chilies, I thought it'd be full of flavor.
The corn is sautéed in bacon fat, giving it a smoky taste. There's a great mix of colors and textures, from cherry tomatoes to crispy bacon and sliced chilies. The fish sauce enhanced the flavors instead of overpowering them. It can be made with frozen corn year - round and doesn't rely as much on fresh corn as the others. Just note, it comes out warm, so if you don't like warm avocado, add it on top.
I didn't expect to love Cameron Diaz's recipe. I didn't even know she was into cooking. But when she posted it on Instagram, the internet went crazy.
It's super easy to make. First, make a vinaigrette with orange juice, olive oil, and champagne vinegar (I substituted with a mix of white wine and sherry vinegar). Pan - fry the corn until it 'pops' a bit. Then mix it with chopped sugar snap peas, vinaigrette, and top with flaky salt, pepper, and feta cheese.
It took under 15 minutes to make. It's light, full of flavor, and has the perfect balance of textures and temperatures. It's my ideal corn salad, and I've made it several times already. From now on, in my house, Cameron Diaz will be known for this amazing corn salad.
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