I decided a few months ago to finally succumb to peer pressure and begin the cooking classes I've talked about doing for, um, well for quite some time. I'm not sure why I waited so long to start the classes because I am sooooo enjoying teaching them. I love the women who come and listen to me talk about my passion for food. I love that they love my food. I love the sound of them talking, laughing and getting to know one another. I love using a talent that God gave me. I hope He loves it too.
So, last Saturday I decided to go to the farmers market to get corn for a recipe I would be preparing at this weeks classes. Now mind you, I could have driven 1/2 a mile to Publix for said corn but I was convinced I must buy my corn from some elderly little farmer and his sweet little wife. So I drove all the way across town for corn. At 7:30 on Saturday morning. But I like the farmers market. I like how all those people bring their food in and present it for me to buy. They grew that food. They picked that food. There just seems to be more love in the aisles at the farmers market than in the produce isle at the grocery store. I also like how when you leave the farmers market you can smell the "hot one" from the Krispy Kreme next door. Mmmmm... Ok, back to my story, so I spotted the corn man. From a distance I knew he was the one I'd buy MY corn from. I walked overt to his area and noticed how all the other people were picking over the corn they would buy. Being a professional (cook), I picked over my corn too and chatted with the elderly man next to me about how fresh the corn looked and how the season was almost over. I finally picked out my 12 ears and headed over to pay. Now, truth is, I didn't have a clue if they were the 12 best, freshest ears or not but I was happy with my selection. Corn man asked how many ears I had. I wanted to say "just 2 to hear with" but decided it would only be funny to me. So, 12. 12 ears of fresh corn. He said, "well let me throw in another two or three just in case you get a bad one in there." Wasn't that sweet? I like corn man. I didn't tell him I was a professional. I pay for my corn and head to the car. On the way out I saw this elderly gentleman sitting in his bay, big silver bowl in hand, shelling peas. I stop. The memories start flooding. I watched his hands as he shelled the peas into the big silver bowl. I wanted to touch his hands. I wanted to hold them and see if they were calloused from years of hard, honest work. I wanted to see if he belly laughed when I held his hands. You see, I wanted to see if he was my grandfather. Oh, my grandfather has been gone from this earthly world for many years. But the memories. The memories of him shelling peas in a big silver bowl. The memories of his big calloused hands, his hearty laugh, his sweet spirit. God treated me to a sweet gift Saturday morning at 7:30 at the farmer's market. I went to see corn man but left with a mental snap shot of my papaw. Shelling peas in the big silver bowl. Thank you God for sweet gifts.
Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter, Lime and Cotija Cheese
8 ears fresh corn, shucked
4 fresh limes, quartered
Garlic butter, recipe follows
1/2 cup grated cotija cheese
2 tablespoons chopped chives, optional
For the corn:
Fill a large pot about
¾ full of water and bring to a boil.
Gently place ears of corn into boiling water. Boil for 3 minutes, cover pot with lid and
turn the heat off. Let the corn cook in
the hot water until tender, about 10 minutes.
Remove from water and serve topped with garlic butter, cotija cheese and
a squeeze of lime.
Garlic Butter
2 sticks butter, slightly softened
8 garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/4 jalapeno pepper, seeded
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine butter, garlic, jalapeno, and chives in a food
processor and process until smooth. Season with
salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.
