Corn Salad with Tamale Croutons

Name: Corn Salad with Tamale Croutons
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ingredients: TAMALE CROUTONS:; 3 cups frozen corn, divided; 2/3 cup butter, softened; 1/3 cup sugar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup masa harina; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; CHIPOTLE RANCH DRESSING:; 1/4 cup buttermilk; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 teaspoon buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix; 1 teaspoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce; SALAD:; 6 cans (7 ounces each) white or shoepeg corn, drained; 2 cups grape tomatoes, chopped; 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, well drained; 1 small red onion, chopped; 1/2 cup chopped peeled jicama; 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro; 1/4 cup lime juice; 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced; 4 medium ripe avocados, peeled and cubed; 3/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

This recipe is special because I was able to take a delectable, but somewhat complicated, appetizer recipe and turn it into a salad that's easy to make and transport. Adjust the jalapeno and chipotles to suit your spiciness level.—Richi Reynolds, Scottsboro, Alabama

Ingredients

TAMALE CROUTONS:
3 cups frozen corn, divided
2/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup masa harina
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
CHIPOTLE RANCH DRESSING:
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix
1 teaspoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
SALAD:
6 cans (7 ounces each) white or shoepeg corn, drained
2 cups grape tomatoes, chopped
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, well drained
1 small red onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped peeled jicama
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup lime juice
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
4 medium ripe avocados, peeled and cubed
3/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions

Place 2 cups corn in food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. Add the butter, sugar and salt; cover and process until blended. Stir in masa harina and flour until a soft dough forms; fold in remaining corn. Using wet hands, press dough into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan.
Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Score the dough into 1-in. squares. Bake 4-6 minutes longer or until golden brown. Immediately cut along the scored lines; cool in pan on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the corn, tomatoes, onion, jicama, cilantro, lime juice and jalapeno. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat; gently stir in avocados. Sprinkle with cheese and croutons. Serve immediately.

Editor's Note

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup with 1/3 cup croutons and 1 tablespoon cheese: 449 calories, 26g fat (10g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 9g fiber), 8g protein.

Originally published as Corn and Avocado Salad with Sweet Corn Tamale Croutons and Spicy Chipotle Ranch Dressing in Mexican Bookazine 2012

Reviews

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Average Rating:

crazy4sushi

Jun 18, 2016

the croutons never hardened. They stayed soft and mushy, like the corn tomalito you get at Chevy's in the shape of ice cream. Huge disappointment. I picked this recipe solely for the crouton idea
lahupe

Aug 31, 2015

This was excellent! I couldn't find Masa Harina anywhere so I used Gluten Free Corn Flour. The croutons turned out great anyway. They were the best part of the salad and I couldn't stop eating them. My jicama was bad so I couldn't use it but I thought the salad tasted fine without. Next time I think I'll add black beans. Everyone loved the salad and it tasted even better the 2nd and 3rd day.
annecooks

Aug 11, 2015

This looks and sounds awesome, and would be great for a special occasion. There are just a lot of ingredients that I don't always have on hand. I'm still saving this one with intentions of making at a later date. Masa Harina is a corn flour treated with lime juice. The lime juice makes it more digestible.
MLrpe

Aug 11, 2015

Could someone tell me what 'masa harina' is? I have never heard of it. Thanks