Recipe: The Ultimate Corn Dip Recipe for Entertaining

Yield: 6 servings

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

This flavourful dip is perfect for an impromptu dinner party. The sizzling chili oil to finish is optional but it truly brings a depth and brightness to contrast the earthy sweetness of the corn. Serve alongside bread or a variety of seasonal market vegetables for dipping, swirling and dunking.

Ingredients

• 2 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced into rounds
• 3 garlic cloves, minced, divided
• 2 tbsp roughly chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
• 2 tsp chili flakes
• ¼ tsp kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
• ¼ cup oil (sunflower, avocado, grapeseed or canola will all work well here)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cups fresh corn kernels, from about 3 ears of corn
• 1 large shallot, minced
• ½ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Crudités, sliced baguette, flatbread or corn chips, for serving

Method

Start by making chili oil. In a medium-sized heatproof bowl, stir together green onions, one minced garlic clove, cilantro, chili flakes and salt. Set aside.

In a small pot, heat oil over medium-high until shimmering (about 2 minutes). To test if oil is ready, place handle of a wooden spoon or wooden chopstick upright in oil. If it bubbles vigorously, then it’s ready. Carefully and slowly pour hot oil over green onion mixture, taking care as oil will sputter and pop. Set bowl aside for oil to cool and infuse while you make the dip.

Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet or frying pan. Add corn kernels, minced shallot and remaining minced garlic. Cook, stirring often, until shallots have softened and corn is tender (about 7 to 10 minutes). Transfer warm corn mixture to bowl of a food processor and blend until almost smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add ricotta and lemon juice and puree until very smooth. Season to taste with salt.

Transfer dip to a bowl and, with the back of a spoon, create a swirl pattern on top. Drizzle chili oil over dip and serve alongside crudités, sliced or cubed bread or corn chips.