Fresh corn is in season!  Look for ears that have kernels to the bottom (if they don’t it was picked too early) and with corn silk that is not brown or black.

I love simple, boiled corn.  I just drop it into boiling water and boil for 3 minutes.  No need to go longer.  I also love to sauté corn, which requires the kernels to be cut off before cooking, which means that kernels are going to go off of my cutting board and all over the counter.  But it’s OK!  It’s worth the mess.

Chili powder is great with corn, and this easy recipe marries the corn with tofu and veggies. I like to finish my tofu with a drizzle of chili sesame oil.  If you don’t have any use regular sesame oil, but this chili oil gives everything color and a kick!

A light meal, and it couldn’t be any more summery!

Chili Corn with Sauteéd Tofu

Corn:

2 ears of fresh corn, kernels removed

1/2 tsp chili powder

salt, pepper to taste

Tofu:

1 block of firm or extra firm tofu

2 tsp teriyaki sauce (I like Soy Vey)

1 tsp black sesame seeds

2 tsp minced ginger

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp chili sesame oil

Veggies:

5 large shiitake mushrooms (can sub any mushrooms you like)

1/2 yellow or sweet onion

1/2 red pepper

2 cups fresh veggies of your choice (I used broccoli, red cabbage and spinach)

olive oil

To prepare corn heat up a little olive oil and sauté for just a couple of minutes, until your desired crunchiness.  Sprinkle with chili powder, salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.

To prepare tofu heat a little oil in a sauté pan, dice tofu and add to hot oil.  Cook for 10 minutes or so, stirring often.  Add teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds and ginger, and cook for another 10 minutes.  Add garlic and cook unitl golden but NOT brown!  Turn your heat to simmer and drizzle with oil.

Meanwhile get your veggies going.  Chop up your onion and mushrooms, then heat a little oil and cook until the onion is golden.  Add the rest of your veggies and cook until desired doneness. 

I like to plate this dish in rows; a row of corn, then tofu, then veggies.

Serves 2-3