CHARRED CORN SALAD WITH CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING

Charred Corn Salad with Creamy Tomatillo Dressing image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 55m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
6 to 8 tomatillos, husked & coarsely chopped (about 8 ounces)
2 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled and quartered
1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced
1/2 jalapeno, coarsely chopped with seeds
1/2 onion, coarsely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
6 ears fresh corn, shucked
2 tablespoons canola oil, to coat corn
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Juice from 3 limes
1 ripe avocado, diced
1 Fresno chile pepper, seeded and finely diced
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese

Steps:

For the guacamole: Combine the cilantro, tomatillos, garlic, avocado, jalapeno, onion, lime juice, cumin and salt in a food processor or blender and pulse until combined. Set aside 1/2 cup of the guacamole for the creamy tomatillo dressing, and use remaining guacamole for another recipe.
For the charred corn salad: Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Brush or rub each ear of corn with the canola oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Grill the corn until it gets a nice char, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes. Stand each ear stalk-end down, in a wide, shallow bowl and slice the kernels off using your knife.
Combine the corn kernels, lime juice, avocado, Fresno chiles and red onions in a large bowl.
For the creamy tomatillo dressing: Mix together the mayonnaise, 1/2 cup tomatillo guacamole, hot sauce, chili powder and cumin. Add to the corn salad and toss to combine.
Fold in the cilantro and crumbled cotija and season with salt.
Serving suggestion: Portion the salad into small cups, squeeze additional lime over the top, and serve with a spoon.