Fresh Corn Mexican Casserole
Active Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Serves 6
This half-sweet/half-salty casserole
is typical of Hermosillo, Sonora.
INGREDIENTS
10 ears corn, with kernels cut from
the cob (about 3 cups)
3 1/2 ounces queso panela, or other
semisoft, low-fat white cheese
3 1/2 ounces lard
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons raisins, soaked in a
little hot water and drained
2 tablespoons shredded (grated) Oaxaca
cheese or mozzarella cheese
1 large poblano chile, roasted and cut
into strips
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degress F.
In a food processor, process the corn
and cheese until smooth.
With an electric mixer, beat the lard
for 5 to 7 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the corn mixture and beat for
another 2 minutes, adding the salt and baking powder at the end.
Butter an 8-inch cazuela, or any
ovenproof dish with high sides. Divide the mixture into 2 parts, adding the
sugar and raisens to one of them. Spoon this mixture into one side of the mold.
On the other side, spoon half of the
corn mixture, then the shredded cheese and chiles, then the remaining corn
mixture. Bake in the oven for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted in the center
comes out clean.