Caesar Esquites

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total: 40 min
  • Active: 20 min
Caesar salad is often thought of as an Italian classic, but the famous dish was likely invented at Caesar's Restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. For this esquites recipe--which means shaved corn--we pay homage to the anchovy-laced salad by replacing the traditional mayo-sour cream mixture often served on street corn with a Caesar-style dressing made with sour cream, garlic and what some say was a key ingredient in the original Caesar recipe: lime juice. A shower of Parmesan -- shaved and grated-- finishes the dish. This recipe might just be the perfect side for your next summer party, served with a little bit of Mexican history.
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Ingredients

4 ears corn, shucked

1/2 cup sour cream

4 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges, for serving

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3 anchovy fillets, finely minced

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 tablespoons olive oil or other neutral oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

One 2-ounce piece Parmesan

Directions

  1. Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil. Add the corn, cover and cook until the kernels are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer the corn to a large bowl to cool completely.
  2. Add the sour cream, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies and garlic to a medium bowl and stir to combine. Gradually whisk in the oil until thickened and emulsified; season with salt and pepper.
  3. Cut each ear of corn in half crosswise. Stand a piece upright and slice off the kernels, cutting close to the cob so they come off in wide sheets.
  4. Add about 1/2 cup of the dressing to the center of a large platter. Spread it with a spoon in a swishing motion, Put the sheets of corn on top of the dressing.
  5. Using a vegetable peeler, shave off 1/2 cup of Parmesan curls and scatter it over the corn. Then use a rasp grater to finish the dish with finely grated Parmesan. Serve with lime wedges and the remaining dressing on the side.

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