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Chef Jose Garces' Esquites

We've spent the past couple days talking with Iron Chef Jose Garces of Distrito at The Saguaro in Scottsdale. In part 3 of our series this week we have his recipe for esquites. Esquites is a traditional Mexican snack often sold at corn stalls or festivals. Chef Garces suggests pairing...
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We've spent the past couple days talking with Iron Chef Jose Garces of Distrito at The Saguaro in Scottsdale. In part 3 of our series this week we have his recipe for esquites.

Esquites is a traditional Mexican snack often sold at corn stalls or festivals. Chef Garces suggests pairing it with tacos.

Esquites

Ingredients
1 Medium onion, small dice
8 Cups corn kernels off the cobb
4 Cups corn stock (recipe follows)
4 Oz. Butter
Epazote, a fresh Mexican herb *

Garnish
Lime Mayonnaise (recipe follows)
Queso Fresco *
Chili Piquin *

Get the rest of the recipe after the jump!

Directions:
Sweat diced onions in butter. Add corn kernels and cook until soft (About 15 minutes). Add corn stock and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, leaving some liquid. Season with salt to taste. Fold in epazote. Serve warm in large bowl. Top with a light layer of Lime Mayonnaise, crumbled Queso Fresco and a gentle shake of Chile Piquin.

Corn Stock
6 corn cobs, kernels removed
1 medium onion, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbs olive oil
4 quarts water
Salt to taste

Gently sweat onions and garlic in olive oil until very soft. Add corn cobs and water and cook until stock is very fragrant and flavorful, about one hour. Strain to remove cobs and onion and season to taste with salt.

Lime Mayonnaise
1 cup prepared mayonnaise
1/8 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
Salt to taste
Combine mayonnaise and lime juice in a small bowl and mix well. Season to taste with salt.

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