{"id":"esquites_735a3af906","slug":"esquites-mexican-street-corn-salad","title":"Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)","description":"A savory, smoky, and creamy Mexican street food classic. Tender corn kernels are sautéed with aromatics and served warm with a tangy, spicy, and salty blend of toppings.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4-5 ears)","name":"Corn","quantity":600,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"cup","form":"kernels","notes":"fresh, frozen, or canned (drained)","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 tablespoons unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":28,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"unsalted","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 small white onion, finely diced","name":"Onion","quantity":0.5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"white","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"3 cloves garlic, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded and minced","name":"Serrano Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"seeded and minced","notes":"or serrano for more heat","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 cup chicken or vegetable broth","name":"Vegetable Broth","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"can use water as a substitute","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 sprig epazote","name":"Epazote","quantity":1,"unit":"sprig","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"sprig","form":"fresh","notes":"essential for authentic flavor","group":"Herb","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/4 cup mayonnaise","name":"Mayonnaise","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"or Mexican crema","group":"Toppings","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled","name":"Cotija Cheese","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"crumbled","notes":"","group":"Toppings","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 teaspoon chili powder or Tajín","name":"Chili Powder","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"Tajín seasoning works great here","group":"Toppings","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"2 limes, cut into wedges","name":"Lime","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"wedges","notes":"","group":"Toppings","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large skillet or pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent.","group":"Cooking","title":"In a large skillet or pot, melt the butter","timerMinutes":4,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the corn kernels and jalapeño to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the corn starts to char slightly and becomes golden.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the corn kernels and jalapeño","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the broth and add the epazote sprig.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir in the minced garlic","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the corn is tender. Remove and discard the epazote sprig.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Transfer the corn to a large bowl or individual serving cups. Mix in or top with mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, chili powder, and a generous squeeze of lime juice. Serve warm.","group":"Serving","title":"Transfer the corn","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"If you cannot find epazote, fresh cilantro is a common substitute, though the flavor profile will shift from earthy to bright. For a smokier flavor, use a cast-iron skillet to get a deep char on the corn.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["saute"],"equipment":["Large skillet","Mixing bowl","Knife","Cutting board"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"serving","note":"Approximately 1 cup per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The corn base can be prepared 1 day in advance and stored without toppings."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Best reheated in a skillet before adding fresh toppings.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat corn in a pan with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fesquites_735a3af906%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9a8b3c63-e35f-4d6e-abcb-bd08698146cd","imageAlt":"Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["corn","street food","mexican food","warm salad","cheesy","spicy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:50:52.154Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:50:52.154Z","related":[{"id":"agua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356","slug":"agua-fresca-de-limon","title":"Agua Fresca de Limón","description":"A traditional, crisp, and refreshing Latin American lime drink that perfectly balances tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness. Ideal for hot days or as a light accompaniment to spicy meals.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["appetizer","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fagua_fresca_de_limon_2a14774356%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fe94cf6f-2bf2-4184-ac60-2b5d49ae8160","imageAlt":"Agua Fresca de Limón — recipe cover","tags":["lime","refreshing","summer drink","mexican beverages","easy drinks","agua fresca"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"arepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8","slug":"arepa-de-queso","title":"Arepa de Queso","description":"A classic Latin American snack consisting of golden, pan-seared corn cakes made from pre-cooked cornmeal and filled with gooey, melted cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Colombian","Venezuelan"]},"course":["snack","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Farepa_de_queso_2d9f12ccb8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=45319391-0036-45d0-b2a4-cd86df8b987e","imageAlt":"Arepa de Queso — recipe cover","tags":["cheese","cornmeal","gluten-free","street-food","cheesy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5},{"id":"chifles_191c5b72a2","slug":"chifles-crispy-fried-plantain-chips","title":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips)","description":"A classic Latin American snack of paper-thin green plantain slices fried until perfectly golden and crunchy, finished with a touch of salt.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Ecuadorian","Peruvian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchifles_191c5b72a2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7f3e8c86-3d11-4104-9064-fb1f6050e18f","imageAlt":"Chifles (Crispy Fried Plantain Chips) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","chips","crispy","latin american","salty","vegan snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":5}]}