CREAMY CORN PUDDING

My girl Lilah doesn't like to brush her hair. She's way too busy playing imaginary games, collecting rocks and flowers, listening to Harry Potter on CD, kicking butt in Tae Kwon Do, and sometimes she is just too busy... cooking.

When my friends Leslie and Ethel gave me a copy of their book At the Farmers' Market with Kids, I was stoked, and so were Otis and Lilah. My kids like their time in the kitchen, especially when they're in charge. With corn still in its late-summer sweet spot around here, the corn pudding recipe seemed like the one to try. Lilah was the chef, and I was her assistant.

Leslie and Ethel's book gives clear directions for young readers and highlights simple tasks for even younger kids. Lilah and I had a blast making these creamy puddings.

Needless to say, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy this recipe...


INGREDIENTS from At the Farmers' Market with Kids by Leslie Jonath and Ethel Brennan
{printable recipe}

• 1.5 to 2 cups fresh corn kernels, cut from 2 large ears of corn
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped chives
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup grated white cheddar
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

Preheat oven 350. Butter one 8 inch baking dish (or I used four 4 inch ramekins).

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Saute the shallot, chives and corn kernels, stirring occasionally until corn has softened - about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together eggs and salt. Stir in grated cheese and set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, bring 2 cups of milk to a gentle boil. Whisk in corn meal. Lower heat, stir regularly, and cook corn meal until it resembles a thickened porridge - about 5 minutes of cooking.

Remove sauce pan from heat, whisk in the remaining cup of milk, the corn mixture, and the egg mixture. Pour into buttered baking dish(es).

Bake the pudding(s) for about 45 minutes until the tops are golden brown. A toothpick stuck into the center of the pudding should come out clean.

Eat and enjoy!

Serves 4-6