8.17.10 Penne with Corn & Brown Butter
I was overjoyed to hear from Rochelle last week, asking me to collaborate with the Harvard Farmer’s Market again this year, in providing weekly recipes for the Market Basket column in the Harvard Post. The paper was hoping to begin publishing right away, and luckily I had a particular recipe in mind. It seems my inability to walk past a display of corn without putting armfuls in my basket has come in handy after all. Just yesterday I left the market with nine ears of corn and one red face, after trying to shove them all in a single bag, only to have the bag break and the nine ears to roll in each and every direction on the floor of the store. Of course, if you know me at all, you are probably suppressing a chuckle and thinking, ya, that sounds about right.
Clumsiness aside, if you have ever doubted the combination of corn and pasta, you will be sweetly rewarded here (well, with a touch of salt). And browning the butter? Apparently it is “Erin-proof”. Now there is nothing to stop me from stocking up on corn with reckless abandon. With an extra bag, of course.
Penne with Corn & Brown Butter
serves 4
2 1/2 c uncooked penne
1 stick butter, cut into 1” slices
3 small leeks, (white and light green parts only), cut into thin slices
4 ears corn, husks and silk discarded, kernels cut off
1 T fresh oregano leaves
1/2 t salt
Parmesan cheese, to taste
pepper, to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne, and cook 8-10 minutes, until desired tenderness. Drain, rinse with warm water, and set aside.
In a large sauté pan, add butter over medium heat. Watch carefully, as it melts, then foams and turns a clear golden color, about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently, as tiny brown specs appear on the bottom, and butter turns brown and smells nutty, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a heat-proof bowl immediately, to prevent burning.
Return pan to heat and add leeks. Sauté 5-7 minutes, until they begin to brown. Add corn kernels, oregano and salt, and cook 2-3 minutes, until corn is tender. In a large serving dish, combine corn and leeks, with penne and brown butter. Stir well, and season to taste with Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
Reader Comments (21)
O love corn and pasta. Your dish looks wonderful!
Oh wow, that looks super tasty. How can you go wrong with pasta, butter, and corn?! Must try this.
I can't get enough fresh corn and combining it with browned butter?? Dangerous!
Lovely simplicity and elegance to this dish, Erin... very summery! I should use FRESH oregano more often. ;o) Happy Weekend ((HUGS))
Ooh, this looks great! I'm having corn withdrawal now that I'm back in Oz (after Iowa). Alas.
And I love your yellow crockery!
A :)
This looks SO scrumptious. Summer corn = yummm :)
Yipeee a recipe on penne, corn and butter!! I know im going to LOVE this as these are my favorites too! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a lovely merry happy weekend sweet friend! Love to you!
This looks and sounds so delicious! I've been getting really sweet corn in my CSA every week, and I can't wait to make this!
That is a terrific idea! My husband is obsessed with corn but I can't get super excited about just eating it off the cob every night. I'm always looking for ways to make it interesting.
Oh this looks so good! It's on my must try list.
This was amazing! I made it last night for dinner and it got my picky fiance's stamp of approval, too. He loved it so much, he insisted on taking the leftovers for lunch today (fortunately, there was enough for me, too). Definitely will be putting this into menu rotation in our house!
Indeed! Corn and brown butter is sooooo fine. We enjoyed it with feta and mint, sans pasta, last summer, and this reminds me we'd better hop to it, before it's too late!
Oh my....your photos are just amazing!!!
I have been in need of new recipe inspiration:):)
Thanks!
Wow. This looks insane!
This looks fabulous! I'll try it as I just bought a lot of corn at my farmer's market!
I wouldn't have thought to put corn and pasta together, but I will now. Looks delicious. I can't eat butter but will try it with olive oil for a heart healthier version!
What a simple and elegant dish. My boys who are an absolute pasta fans will surely trip for this. First time to your space and i am truly happy to have found it. Beautiful collection of recipes you have got here....
I have lots of herbs planted in a pot and oregano is one of them. This herb is very easy to grow and has many curative benefits. I love recipes using fresh herbs like oregano and I have tried it in most dishes except for those with corn. Your recipe Penne with Corn and Brown Butter is a novelty for me. Can't wait to try it at home!
Jane Darwin
Sushi
Last night I tried your recipe and fell in love with it. Great combination!!! Corn and browned butter - yumm!!
I'm glad I stumbled upon your blog recently; I will definitely try more of your recipes soon.
Congratulations to a nicely designed blog full of great recipes!
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I like it very much, perhaps I know not of these very deep, but I hope you will soon update your work！！！Thank you very much!! imitation bell & ross