Esquites Recipe (Elote Salad)
Whip up the lively flavors of Mexico in your own kitchen with this easy yet captivating Esquites Recipe— a sweet, savory, and spicy corn-based Elote Salad that's both refreshing and indulgent!
Ingredients
- 4 cups corn kernels
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- salt and pepper
- ½ cup crumbled cortija
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ cup spring onions sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 lime juice
Instructions
- Heat a pan over high heat, add the olive oil and the corn kernels, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper, and saute for 8-10 minutes until they are cooked.
- In a serving bowl, mix the mayonnaise, cotija, spring onions, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add the corn to the bowl and toss together.
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh corn for the best flavor.
- If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika will work too.
- Squeeze the lime juice over the salad just before serving to retain its freshness.
- This recipe hinges on the sweetness of fresh corn, so try and source the freshest ears of corn you can find. Fresh, in-season corn will always get you the best flavor.
- Sauté your corn kernels over high heat to allow caramelization. This lends a delightful "roasted" flavor profile to the dish, which is a hallmark of street-vended Esquites.
- The smoked paprika, salt and pepper breathe life into the corn. Feel free to adjust the levels to suit your taste, but don't skip them.
- A key factor to remember is to cool your corn completely before mixing it with mayo, cheese and other ingredients, as warm corn will make the salad soggy and runny.
- Use fresh lime juice instead of bottled juice. The flavor of fresh limes is far superior and provides the right amount of tanginess to balance out the creamy and sweet components.
Nutrition
Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 384mgPotassium: 286mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 525IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!