FRESH CORN OMELET WITH SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND BASIL

FRESH CORN OMELET WITH SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND BASIL

Serves 1.

Note: "This combination of elements makes terrific scrambled eggs, too," writes author Deborah Madison. "Grilled corn as well as fresh is excellent here, so keep that in mind if you happen to be grilling." If using fresh rather than smoked mozzarella, dice cheese and let it rest on paper towels to release water, otherwise eggs will be watery. Madison suggests serving with toast and just-sliced tomatoes garnished with sea salt, olive oil and a few drops of balsamic vinegar. From "Vegetarian Suppers" by Deborah Madison (Broadway Books, $27.50)

• 1 ear sweet corn, grilled or raw, kernels sliced off cob

• 2 eggs

• 2 to 3 fresh basil leaves, slivered

• 1 oz. grated smoked mozzarella

• 1 tbsp. butter

Directions

If using ungrilled corn, put kernels in a small skillet with a few tablespoons water over medium heat and simmer until tender and heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

For omelet: In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with 1 tablespoon water. Stir in corn, basil and cheese, and season with a couple pinches of salt and some pepper. Wipe out pan.

Over medium heat, melt butter. When it foams, pour in egg mixture and give it a couple of quick stirs around pan. Cover pan with the plate you plan to eat from (it will warm it), reduce heat to low and cook eggs until pale gold on bottom.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories454Fat29 gSodium355 mgSaturated fat14 g

Carbohydrates28 gCalcium266 mg

Protein24 gCholesterol470 mgDietary fiber4 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 bread/starch, 3 1/2 medium-fat meat, 3 1/2 fat.

Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish.

Note: From "The 150 Best American Recipes" by Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens (Houghton Mifflin, $30).

• 3 to 4 ears sweet corn, husks and silk removed

• 2 ripe tomatoes

• 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 c. heavy cream

• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

• 1 c. medium-grind cornmeal

• 2/3 c. loosely packed mixed freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley, thyme, chives and basil

• 2/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Place corn in a large pot, cover with water and cook over high heat. When water comes to a boil, remove from heat, drain and cool. When cool, cut kernels from ear, reserving kernels.

Core and roughly chop tomatoes. In a small bowl, toss them with olive oil, season with salt to taste and reserve.

In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water and cream over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add butter, salt to taste and stir to melt butter.

Whisking constantly, add cornmeal in a slow, steady stream. Continue to whisk until all lumps disappear. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until polenta is thick and creamy, about 20 minutes. Fold in corn, herbs and Parmesan.

Nutrition information per serving of 8:

Calories333Fat22 gSodium170 mgSaturated fat10 g

Carbohydrates28 gCalcium150 mg

Protein7 gCholesterol47 mgDietary fiber3 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 bread/starch, 4 1/2 fat.

Serves 4.

Note: The late Michael Roberts was the influential chef at the former Trumps in West Hollywood, Calif. and later at Twin Palms in Pasadena, Calif., which he owned with actor/director Kevin Costner. From "Saveur Cooks Authentic American" by the editors of Saveur magazine (Chronicle Books, $24.95).

• 8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, divided

• 3 c. (about 6 ears) fresh corn kernels

• 1 green onion, peeled and minced

• 1 c. heavy cream

• 1/2 c. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

• 12 fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced

• 1/2 c. freshly shelled peas

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add corn and green onion and sauté for about 1 minute.

Add 1/2 cup chicken stock, increase heat to medium high and reduce liquid quickly until mixture thickens. Add cream and stir occasionally, reducing liquid again until thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.

Transfer mixture to a food processor fitted with a metal blade and pulse once or twice (the kernels should be broken but not puréed smooth). Transfer mixture to an ovenproof baking dish, cover with aluminum foil and keep warm in oven.

In a medium skillet over high heat, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Add mushrooms and sauté for 1 minute. Add peas and remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock, reduce heat to medium and reduce liquid until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Fold mushroom mixture into corn, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition information per serving:

Carbohydrates35 gCalcium230 mg

Protein12 gCholesterol140 mgDietary fiber5 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 milk, 2 bread/starch, 9 fat.

VELVETY CHILLED CORN SOUP

Serves 6.

• 6 ears sweet corn, husks and silks removed

• 6 c. low-sodium chicken broth, divided

• 3 shallots, chopped

• 1 onion, chopped

• 6 tbsp. crème fraîche or sour cream

• 2 tbsp. freshly chopped chives

Directions

Using a cleaver or heavy large knife, cut each ear of corn crosswise in half. Place corn in a heavy large pot. Add 5 cups chicken broth, shallots and onion. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until corn is very tender, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer corn to a large bowl to cool; reserve broth.

When cool, cut kernels off cobs. Return 4 cups corn kernels to broth. Working in batches, purée soup in blender until very smooth. Strain soup through a fine sieve set over a large bowl, pressing on solids with back of spoon; discard solids. Mix in enough additional chicken broth to thin soup to consistency of heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Refrigerate uncovered until cold, about 4 hours (can be prepared up to 1 day in advance; cover and keep refrigerated).

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories175Fat5 gSodium81 mgSaturated fat2 g

Carbohydrates29 gCalcium37 mg

Protein9 gCholesterol9 mgDietary fiber3 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 2 bread/starch, 1 fat.

Serves 6.

Note: If unable to find the softer type of aged Manchego cheese that crumbles, substitute the more common type that has a Cheddar-like consistency and grate it instead. Adapted from "At Home With Magnolia" by Allysa Torey (Wiley, $29.95).

• 6 ears sweet corn, husks and silks removed

• 11/2 c. halved cherry tomatoes

• 3/4 c. finely chopped red onion

• 6 tbsp. olive oil

• 3 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 c. (about 5 oz.) crumbled aged Manchego cheese

Directions

In a medium serving bowl, combine 3 cups cooked (and cooled) corn, tomatoes, onion and parsley. Add olive oil and lemon juice and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste, crumble cheese on top and serve.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories295Fat21 gSodium53 mgSaturated fat6 g

Carbohydrates21 gCalcium205 mg

Protein9 gCholesterol22 mgDietary fiber3 g