Thanks for visiting my site - please visit this post at my new site, MouthFromTheSouth.com
Y'all - I'm melting here in Knoxville. No - seriously. I'm really melting. Yesterday it got so hot in our living room that Marcus walked in and I had been reduced to a mere puddle on the floor. The only thing that saved me was that he sucked me up with a straw, brought me into our air conditioned bedroom and when I started to regain my solid form, he put in the freezer to finish the cooling off process. It was a very close call.
However I am such a committed food blogger that I dared - nay, I was thrilled - to turn on my oven this past week to make the following recipe. This was spectacular in oh-so-many ways. It's a cinch to throw together. It's delicious. It's heavenly straight from the oven, beguiling at room temperature and reheats like a dream.
I inhaled three servings of this stuff the first night we made it - it's one of the most comforting comfort foods I've ever made, yet there's nothing stodgy or heavy about it. The chewiness of the bread, the luxurious smoothness of the cream, the salty pungency of the cheese mixed with the sweetness of the corn - all of this combined made me sigh when I took my first bite. This dish is as soothing as cool, crisp cotton sheets but there's nothing overly familiar with it. This is a dish I'm willing to turn my oven on for right now - that's saying a lot.
The first time we made this, I used Asiago Pressato - the only kind the market had. This is a younger version of Asiago then most people buy. It's a bit sweeter than the more aged Asiago and the texture is creamier. The second time I made it, we used a more traditional Asiago - most versions were delicious. If you can't get find Asiago, I think this would be delicious with many different cheeses - you might try a good Parmesan (no buying the pre-grated stuff!) or Pecorino Romano.
Fresh Corn-and-Asiago Cheese Bread Pudding
Adapted from Southern Living
Yield: 12 servings
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup whipping cream
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8 cups 1-inch cubes of french bread or other sturdy bread (I used one loaf french bread)
4 cups fresh corn kernels
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.)Asiago cheese, shredded
Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add bread and toss to coat all the cubes. Let stand for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 13x9 inch baking dish well.
Stir corn and cheese into the bread mixture. Spoon into pan. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until set and golden brown.
Please click here for a printable recipe!
Some other recipes using fresh corn:
Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Mozzerella, Corn & Tomatoes
Summer in a Bowl Corn Chowder
Please join us by participating in SummerFest 2010! Post on your blog or in the comments or join us on Twitter by using #summerfood.
I can't even begin to describe how amazing this sounds. Can't wait to try this!
Posted by: Mary | August 03, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Oh my gosh, yes, please. I'll be right over for some asiago corn pudding.
Posted by: The Modern Gal | August 03, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Nice photos, dear! This sounds a-mazing.
Posted by: Maris (In Good Taste) | August 04, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Um hello, have you been talking to my fiance? Because he keeps nagging me about corn and about asiago and how he wants asiago bread "like panera makes" (shudder). And here you go, giving me just the perfect cop-out recipe for when we pick up asiago from a local creamery at the farmers market... (Also, the melting? I am SO there.)
Posted by: Caitlin | August 04, 2010 at 08:32 AM
sounds so yummy
try to stay cool
I couldn't believe how hot it was up there either -
I am kinda really looking forward to the fall right now.
Posted by: elizabet h | August 04, 2010 at 11:23 AM
As a fellow Knoxvillian, I concur about the heat. 93 at night just ain't right! That said, I still want this bread pudding. Tonight!
Posted by: Mzlizzle | August 04, 2010 at 01:10 PM
what a gorgeous pudding!! I never would have thought of corn in the bread pudding and the cheese just sends it over the top!! definitely a wow!
Posted by: Chef Dennis | August 04, 2010 at 08:46 PM
I'm finding so many recipe ideas through Summer Fest. I bet my husband would love this dish!
Posted by: Ranjani | August 04, 2010 at 10:18 PM
You always post the best recipes! I made this tonight and it was fantastic!!! Got raves from everyone at the table.
Posted by: Candace | August 08, 2010 at 08:45 PM
I realize I'm about to tell a story about winter, not about summer, but hopefully this will make you feel a bit cooler. Plus, your story reminded me of this:
One winter while I was in Iowa City, B.B. King and his band came through, and it was a bitterly, bitterly cold night. B.B. said he was walking around downtown earlier, and he said hello to a man walking past. The man opened his mouth and a chunk of ice fell out, and then he kept walking. B.B. said he picked up the ice, took it back to the hotel, and when it thawed it said, "Hello, B.B.!"
:-)
Hoping you get a break in the heat soon. Could you send some our way? I kind of miss it...
Posted by: Genie | August 11, 2010 at 02:13 PM
You are amazing! I love your blog!
Posted by: Polly | August 16, 2010 at 04:02 AM