If you're in need of a great end-of-summer dish, these Mexican Street Corn Nachos are the way to go! They're filling and packed with flavor!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Corn, Quick and Easy, Snacks, Summer, Vegetarian
Servings: 8
Author: Jonathan Melendez
Equipment
Skillet
Saucepan
Large platter
Ingredients
3fresh ears of corn
2tablespoonsolive oil
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
1cupwhole milk
1/2teaspoongranulated onion
1/2teaspoongranulated garlic
1/4teaspoonground cumin
1/4teaspoonpaprika
1/4teaspoonchili powder
1/2cupshredded pepper jack cheese
3/4cupfinely grated Cotija cheesedivided
1/4cupmayonnaise
3tablespoonschopped fresh cilantroplus more for topping
1serrano pepperfinely sliced or minced
1limezested and juiced
2scallionsthinly sliced
8ouncesrestaurant style tortilla chips
2tablespoonsMexican cremaoptional
1/4teaspooncayenne or chili powder
Instructions
Set a stovetop grill pan or large cast iron skillet over high heat. Drizzle the corn with oil and season liberally on both sides with salt and pepper. Once very hot, place the corn in the pan and cook, turning often, until charred on all sides, about 2 to 4 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and let cool.
Set a saucepan over medium-high heat with the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened. Season with the spices and a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the pepper jack cheese and 1/4 cup cotija until melted through. Keep warm.
Once the corn is cool enough to handle, using a sharp knife remove the kernels of the cob and place in a large bowl. Add in the mayonnaise, 1/4 cup cotija cheese, cilantro, most of the serrano pepper (saving a bit for topping), lime zest and juice, and most of the scallions (saving a bit for topping as well). Give it a stir until well combined. Taste it and season with a bit of salt and pepper.
To assemble the nachos, place the chips on a large platter in an even layer. Drizzle with the warm cheese sauce and top with the corn mixture. Sprinkle the top with the remaining cotija cheese, serrano peppers, scallions, fresh cilantro, crema drizzle and cayenne pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!