Hello, culinary enthusiasts and fellow lovers of delicious, seasonal fare! As summer’s golden days begin to gently fade, there’s still ample opportunity to savor its bounty, and few dishes capture the essence of warm-weather cooking quite like a vibrant Corn Maque Choux. This cherished Southern classic is a testament to fresh ingredients, boasting an incredible depth of flavor that’s surprisingly simple to achieve. Picture plump, sweet corn kernels mingled with crisp bell peppers, savory onions, smoky bacon, and a touch of creamy richness, all brought together with a hint of spice. It’s an easy, delightful recipe that promises to be a highlight of any summer meal.
How has your week unfolded so far? Have you been tackling demanding projects or indulging in well-deserved leisure? As the season gracefully transitions, I sincerely hope your days have leaned more towards enjoyment and relaxation. Here at our beach house, relaxation has been the theme, as my wonderful husband, Tom, has been on a much-anticipated vacation. Our week has been nothing short of an adventure, brimming with joyous activities and cherished moments.
Our days have been wonderfully packed! We’ve reunited with dear friends, cast lines into shimmering waters during serene fishing excursions, cruised along picturesque coastlines on our boat, and spent countless hours soaking up the sun on sandy beaches. Just yesterday, we embarked on an exhilarating biking adventure. Our fantastic friends, Joey and Kristen, meticulously organized a group bike ride for about a dozen of us, transforming an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Despite the initial downpour, our spirits remained undeterred as we boarded the historic Cape May Ferry with our bikes, setting sail towards Lewes, Delaware. As if on cue, the skies magically cleared the moment we disembarked, revealing a brilliant sun and promising an incredible day ahead.
The bike trails near the beach in Lewes offered breathtaking scenery as we pedaled our way towards the charming town of Rehoboth, Delaware. The gentle sea breeze, the panoramic views of the ocean, and the cheerful camaraderie of our friends made every pedal stroke a pure delight. After working up a healthy appetite, we indulged in a fantastic lunch, savoring local delicacies and raising toasts with delicious cocktails, sharing laughter and creating new memories. The leisurely ferry ride back to Cape May provided the perfect tranquil ending to an otherwise energetic day. It was truly a perfect day – one that reminded us of the simple yet profound joys of summer, friendship, and exploring new places.
During our vacation, it’s a cherished tradition of mine to treat Tom to some of his all-time favorite dishes. This week’s culinary journey began with a comforting classic: his Mom’s incredible spaghetti sauce and meatballs – a recipe steeped in love and family history. Next on our menu was a decadent shrimp scampi, a dish bursting with garlic and butter, always a crowd-pleaser. And last night, we celebrated with a perfectly grilled filet mignon, accompanied by rich, creamy twice-baked potatoes, and, of course, this absolutely sublime Corn Maque Choux – a truly traditional Southern Louisiana delicacy that both Tom and I adore. It’s a dish that brings a touch of warmth and comfort, perfectly complementing any main course.
For those unfamiliar with this culinary gem, Corn Maque Choux (pronounced “mah-k shoo”) is a quintessential Cajun and Creole dish hailing from the heart of Southern Louisiana. It beautifully combines fresh sweet corn with a medley of aromatic vegetables, savory meats, and a rich, creamy sauce, offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Our version elevates this classic by featuring fresh corn, a vibrant mix of green and red bell peppers, finely diced yellow onions, and, crucially, crispy, smoky bacon. A splash of sherry adds a subtle layer of complexity and depth, while a generous pour of heavy cream brings luxurious silkiness to the dish. For that characteristic Southern kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper is essential, allowing you to adjust the heat to your personal preference.
To further enhance the flavor profile, I incorporated a dash of my personal secret ingredient: Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Salt. This unique blend of salt, herbs, and spices adds an extraordinary depth that complements the other ingredients perfectly. While many summer meals feature corn on the cob – a beloved tradition, undoubtedly – this Maque Choux offers a sophisticated and utterly irresistible alternative. It’s the ideal fresh summer side dish, offering a delightful departure from the ordinary, and let’s be honest, the inclusion of crispy bacon truly makes it next-level delicious. Need I elaborate further?
With an abundance of beautiful, sun-ripened corn and vibrantly colored red and green peppers gracing the local vegetable stands, Maque Choux was the first side dish that sprang to mind. It felt like the perfect, seasonally appropriate accompaniment to our elegant grilled filet and those comforting twice-baked potatoes. The freshness of the corn, the crispness of the peppers, and the rich, savory undertones created a symphony of flavors that danced on the palate. I have a strong feeling it has been Tom’s absolute favorite meal of our vacation so far, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.
As the days grow shorter and the air takes on a crisp, autumnal chill, it won’t be long before we transition to comforting pumpkin-spiced lattes and hearty fall recipes. But for now, let’s hold onto every precious moment of summer. Let’s seize the opportunity to celebrate all the exquisite summer fruits and vegetables, showing our support for local farms and their incredible produce. Let’s make something fresh, incredibly flavorful, and truly memorable. This Corn Maque Choux is more than just a recipe; it’s an ode to summer’s culinary delights, a celebration of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary. I sincerely hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, and delicious upcoming weekend, filled with good food and great company!
Ingredients
-
6
slices
bacon
diced -
1/2
cup
green pepper
finely chopped -
1/2
cup
red pepper
finely chopped -
1/2
cup
yellow onion
finely chopped -
1/4
cup
sherry -
4
cups
fresh corn kernels -
1
cup
heavy cream -
1
tsp.
Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Salt
or kosher salt -
1/2
tsp.
ground pepper -
1/4
tsp.
cayenne pepper
more if you like it spicier
Instructions
- In a large saute pan, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until it becomes wonderfully crisp. Once golden and crunchy, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Carefully pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the flavorful bacon drippings from the pan, reserving that precious rendered fat for the next steps.
- Add the finely chopped green peppers, red peppers, and yellow onions to the pan with the remaining bacon drippings. Sauté these vibrant vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become fragrant. They should be tender-crisp, not mushy.
- Pour in the sherry and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon (this is called deglazing, and it adds incredible flavor!), until the sherry has almost completely evaporated. This step infuses the vegetables with a rich, nuanced taste.
- Return the crispy bacon to the pan. Add the fresh corn kernels, heavy cream, Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Salt (or kosher salt), ground pepper, and cayenne pepper (adjusting the amount to your desired level of spice). Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly to combine, ensuring the corn and seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Allow the mixture to gently simmer over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. This usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes. The corn should be tender, and the Maque Choux should have a luxurious, creamy texture. Serve warm as a delightful side dish or a light main course. Enjoy!
Before your first bite, snap a photo and share!
If you make this delightful Corn Maque Choux recipe, I’d absolutely love to see your culinary creation! Be sure to follow @thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and either mention or tag #thebeachhousekitchen. Happy cooking and sharing!