Description
Summer’s classic Barefoot Contessa fresh corn salad combines sweet kernels with basil, red onion, and vinaigrette. Ina Garten’s signature side dish brings garden-fresh flavors to picnics and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 ears corn, shucked
- 75 grams / ½ cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)
- 10 grams / ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil, chiffonade
- 3 tbsps cider vinegar
- 3 tbsps good olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Corn Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook corn ears for 3 minutes until crisp-tender, then immediately transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking and preserve vibrant color.
- Kernel Extraction: Position cooled corn vertically on a cutting board and slice kernels off the cob using a sharp chef’s knife, capturing maximum kernel content in a mixing bowl.
- Onion Integration: Finely dice red onion into uniform pieces and add to corn kernels, creating a textural base for the salad.
- Flavor Infusion: Drizzle cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil over the corn and onion mixture, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Herb Finish: Gently toss all ingredients until thoroughly combined, then moments before serving, chop fresh basil leaves and sprinkle across the salad for a fragrant herbal dimension.
- Final Touch: Perform a taste test, adjusting seasonings as needed to achieve a balanced flavor profile, and serve chilled or at room temperature for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Corn Cooking Tip: Boil corn for exactly 3 minutes to preserve its crisp-tender texture and vibrant color, ensuring peak freshness and optimal taste.
- Kernel Cutting Technique: Use a sharp chef’s knife at an angle when removing kernels from the cob to maximize kernel extraction and minimize waste.
- Flavor Balancing Strategy: Allow the vinaigrette to sit with corn and onions for 15-30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and intensify.
- Herbal Freshness Hack: Add basil leaves just before serving to maintain their bright, aromatic quality and prevent wilting or flavor degradation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg