I think I was meant to live in a place where the weather is warm all year long.  I just love summer;  the sunshine, being outdoors, wearing summertime clothing, and especially the gardens and fresh produce to eat.  That’s why I go kicking and screaming into Fall, hanging onto the last remnants of summer.

One of the foods I particularly enjoy is fresh corn.  Mostly we eat it on the cob either steamed or grilled and slathered with butter.  As the season begins to wind down, however,  I begin to cut the kernels from the cobs and freeze them so I can continue to enjoy the corn later on in other ways.  This recipe is one which uses kernels of corn in a non-traditional way:  in creamy pancakes.

Since the amount of corn in these is substantial, and the pancakes are quite filling, they can stand in for a meal by adding some meat such as ham or sausage.  I like to make these for a Sunday night supper after a busy day outside.

CORN PANCAKES WITH LEMON-CHIVE CREAM

SERVINGS:   6

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup light sour cream
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 1/4 cups fresh corn kernels, divided (about 3 ears)
• 2/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg

DIRECTIONS

1.  Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl and chill.

2.  Combine flour and next 5 ingredients – through pepper- in a medium bowl.

3.  Combine 1 cup corn kernels, buttermilk, butter, and egg in a blender; process until coarsely pureed.  Add pureed corn mixture to flour mixture, stirring until just combined.  Fold in remaining 1/4 cup corn.

4.  Pour about 2 Tablespoons batter per pancake onto a hot nonstick griddle or large skillet.  Cook 3 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked.  Carefully turn over; cook another 3 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

Keep pancakes warm in a low oven while you finish cooking all of them.  Serve with the chive cream to dollop on top.

Corn Pancakes Hot off the Griddle with Lemon Chive Cream.

SOURCE:  Cooking Light,  August, 2012