Description
Ina Garten’s Sagaponack corn pudding blends sweet summer corn with rich dairy ingredients. Creamy and comforting, this side dish delivers classic Hamptons-style elegance you’ll want to savor alongside roasted meats or grilled vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 800g (5 cups / 1.76 lbs) corn kernels, fresh
- 4 eggs, extra-large
- 250g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
- 90g (¾ cup) cheddar cheese, extra-mature, grated
- 115g (¼ lb / 1 stick) butter, unsalted
- 240ml (1 cup) milk, whole
- 240ml (1 cup) cream, single (half-and-half)
- 1 onion, yellow, medium, chopped
- 75g (½ cup) cornmeal, yellow, fine (polenta)
- 3 tbsps basil, fresh, chopped
- 1 tbsp sugar, caster
- 1 tbsp salt, kosher
- ¾ tsp pepper, black, freshly ground
- Cheddar cheese, extra, for topping
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F) and generously butter an 8- to 10-cup baking dish.
- Corn Sauté: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté corn kernels and onions until fragrant and softened, then set aside to cool.
- Liquid Base: Whisk eggs, milk, and cream in a large bowl, gradually blending in cornmeal to prevent lumps. Fold in ricotta cheese until smooth, then mix in basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently incorporate sautéed corn and onions into the creamy mixture, then fold in grated Cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution.
- Baking Setup: Pour mixture into prepared baking dish, top with additional Cheddar cheese. Place the dish inside a larger roasting pan and fill the outer pan with hot tap water halfway up the sides.
- Cooking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Serving: Remove from oven, let rest for 5-10 minutes, and serve warm, optionally garnishing with fresh basil.
Notes
- Master Texture Tip: Whisking eggs and dairy thoroughly prevents lumpy pudding, ensuring a silky, smooth consistency that melts in your mouth.
- Water Bath Secret: Using a water bath helps distribute heat evenly, preventing scorching and creating a delicate, custardy texture that’s creamy throughout.
- Cheese Selection Strategy: Choose a sharp Cheddar with robust flavor to elevate the corn pudding’s richness and add depth to the overall taste profile.
- Fresh Herb Enhancement: Adding fresh basil just before serving boosts the dish’s aromatic quality and provides a bright, herbal contrast to the rich, creamy base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 120mg