Q: Why shouldn’t you tell secrets in a cornfield?

A: Because the corn has ears!

It’s a “cornival” of craziness as Erin leads Sarah and Rachel in an all-new Iron Ladle Challenge celebrating the joys of "corn culture" (or “corny culture”) in midsummer.

After discussing results from a pair of lively listener polls on how to cook and butter corn-on-the-cob (Facebook group members can find those here), the Ladies share their own favorite sweet corn recipes. Which will you try? Rachel’s creamy corn chowder? Sarah’s cowboy caviar? Erin’s colorful confetti corn salad? Or all of the above???

Still can’t get enough corny goodness? Check out this adorable music video on YouTube.

Erin's Confetti Corn Salad

Vegetables:

• 2 cans corn, drained
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 large tomato, chopped

Dressing

• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 Tablespoons mayo

Directions

• mix dressing
• toss with salad
• add pepper to taste

Rachel’s Corn Chowder

(Measurements are all approximate.)

Dice ½ yellow onion and ¼ green pepper. Sautee in 2 T butter in a heavy pot over medium heat until soft.

Peel, wash, and dice 3 or 4 medium potatoes. Add to pot with water or chicken broth to barely cover.

Add *either* 2 cans creamed sweet corn or 1 quart garden corn from the freezer.

Add salt and pepper (and chicken bullion in place of broth) to taste.

Simmer until potatoes are soft.

Add 2-4 cups whole milk and return to low simmer. (Be careful not to boil after this point.)

Thicken in one of two ways (or both together):

1. Melt ¼ cup butter and 2 T all-purpose flour in a small skillet and stir slowly into chowder.
2. Use potato masher to mash some of the potatoes to release the starch.

Serve with crusty buttered bread.

Sarah's Cowboy Salad

Mix together:

• Cowboy Caviar Salsa (Trader Joe's)
• Lettuce
• Shredded cheese
• Taco-spiced beef
• Any other fun salad ingredients because there are no rules.

Sarah just loves cornbread

Betty Crocker recipe with lots of variation: bettycrocker.com/recipes/traditional-cornbread-recipe/8990e15c-fc1d-4a8d-b8b3-4b37f45eca49

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.