Esquites
Warm corn kernels with butter, chilli and epazote, served in cups
Esquites are the cup version of elote, sold by street vendors across Mexico City from big pots: corn kernels sautéed with butter, onion, green chilli and epazote, simmered in a little salty water, then spooned into cups and topped with mayonnaise, lime, crumbled cheese and chilli powder. Each spoonful is sweet, buttery, tangy and warm, with a splash of the corn broth at the bottom. They make a great snack or side for tacos. Choose cotija or feta made with vegetarian rennet. Chef's tip: let the kernels brown slightly in the butter before adding the water; those toasty bits give esquites their depth.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the corn
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Stand each of 4 corn on the cob upright in a wide bowl and slice down the sides with a sharp knife to cut off the kernels; the bowl catches the ones that fly.
5 minStep 2: Melt 1 oz unsalted butter in a wide pan over a medium-high heat until it foams. Add ½ white onion and 1 serrano chilli and cook for 2 minutes until the onion softens.
2 minStep 3: Add the kernels and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring only every minute or so, until some kernels have golden-brown patches and the pan smells sweet and toasty.
5 minStep 4: Add 2 tbsp fresh epazote, ¾ cup water and 1 tsp salt. Simmer over a medium heat for 5 minutes, until the kernels are tender and most of the water has gone, leaving a few spoonfuls of buttery broth.
5 minStep 5: Spoon into cups or small bowls with a little of the broth. Top each with a spoonful of 4 tbsp mayonnaise, a squeeze of 2 lime, crumbled 2 ⅛ oz cotija cheese and a pinch of 1 tsp chilli powder. Serve warm with a spoon.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does esquites take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 8 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of unsalted butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of white onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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