Countryside Creamed Corn

Time :40

Yield :8 servings

Recipe Background

Countryside Creamed Corn is exactly what your chicken-fried steak needs! Or your home-grilled steaks. Or your pork chops. Well, there really isn't a dish out there that couldn't be improved with a side of Countryside Creamed Corn! It's creamy, summery, sweet, and just perfect when topped with some crisp, succulent bacon! It could be argued that you may not even need a main course with this side!

Ingredients

4 slices bacon diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic minced
1 shallot minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 tablespoon sugar
kosher salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 (16-ounce) bags frozen yellow corn thawed
1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped, for garnish

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced bacon and cook, while stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
Transfer the bacon pieces to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet, draining the remainder.
In the skillet with the bacon drippings, melt the butter.
Add the garlic and the shallots to the butter mixture and cook, while stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add the flour to the shallot mixture and cook, while whisking, until it is lightly browned, about 1 minute.
Slowly add the half-and-half to the shallot mixture, while whisking continuously, and continue to cook and whisk until the half-and-half is slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the sugar to the cream mixture and stir to combine.
Season the cream mixture with the salt and the black pepper.
Add the corn to the cream mixture and stir to combine.
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Simmer the corn mixture, while stirring often, until thickened, about 8-10 minutes.
Serve sprinkled with the crisp bacon and the chives.