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Summer is full of distinctive flavors, but one condiment stands above them all: mustard. Hot dogs just aren't the same without it. And in Wisconsin, there's a museum devoted to the simple spread. It all started with one man collecting unique mustards.
Corn Fritters
Normally, I prefer to eat my corn gently steamed, with a little butter and Secret Stash Salt. If I want to get really fancy, I’ll peel back the husks and slather some butter and seasonings on it, put the husks back, and then grill the whole ears for a bit. But that’s about it. Well, other than the corn and blueberry salad. But that’s it. Really! Even though I wouldn’t be sharing this recipe if it wasn’t a success, I can’t say it’s tempted me away from my old standbys. What it is good for though, is for those ears of corn that aren’t quite up to par. Maybe you forgot them in the back of the fridge for a few days or maybe you just peeled back the husks and the kernels were a little softer than you’d like. Or maybe you’re growing sweet corn and you’ve got so much that you just need some variety.
A few words on choosing corn… Most farmers market vendors these days don’t want you to peel the corn husks to check out the corn. It isn’t good for the corn and if you peel back the husks, then decide not to buy the corn, that peeled back corn might not sell because another shopper assumed that it was put back for a reason, even if the reason was simply that you decided you didn’t feel like corn tonight. Really, you shouldn’t need to peel back the husks to get a good, fresh ear of corn. Look for a heavy ear, and one that feels relatively solid. The husks should be relatively moist, not dry. Give it a gentle squeeze all along the length to check for soft spots and look for stiff, dark silk. Corn at the farmers market is usually picked and sold the same day. Older corn, such as corn you get from the supermarket won’t be as sweet, as the sugar in corn turns to starch after a day or two.
These are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Corn Fritters, adapted from Gardener’s Community Cookbook
Makes 6 fritters
Notes: The original recipe called for 2 eggs to be mixed in with the batter. I didn’t do this because honestly, I just forgot. But they were fine (and lighter) without the eggs. If you wanted a slightly more substantial fritter, and one with more protein, feel free to add in the eggs with all of the other ingredients. I recommend oiling the measuring cup to keep the batter from sticking to the measuring cup. It’s a great trick for any batter that needs to be measured before cooking.
Serve these fritters topped with some Secret Stash Salt. They are also delightful crumbled into a scramble as well.
When Shefali Kulkarni, a reporting fellow at the Village Voice in New York City, is asked for her name while ordering coffee at Starbucks, she tells the barista a little fib. She uses "Sheila," her "coffee name." Michele Norris asks her why.
Michele Norris talks to Paula Lavigne about her recent report for ESPN's Outside the Lines. In that story, "What's Lurking In Your Stadium Food," Lavigne examined the health inspection reports for all the stadiums used by the NBA, NHL, NFL and Major League Baseball.
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