Name: Sweetcorn soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 6 corn on the cobs; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 long shallots, finely chopped; 2 celery sticks, finely chopped; 1 lemongrass stalk, bashed; 2 lime leaves; 400g coconut milk; 300ml vegetable or chicken stock; 2 corn on the cobs; 2 tsp olive oil; 1 red chilli, finely chopped; 1 lime, juiced; coriander, finely chopped, plus a few leaves to serve; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

6 corn on the cobs
2 tbsp olive oil
2 long shallots
finely chopped
2 celery sticks
finely chopped
1 lemongrass stalk
bashed
2 lime leaves
400g coconut milk
300ml vegetable or chicken stock

SALSA

2 corn on the cobs
2 tsp olive oil
1 red chilli
finely chopped
1 lime
juiced
coriander
finely chopped, plus a few leaves to serve
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Method

step 1
Hold each of the 6 corn cobs upright on a chopping board and carefully cut off the kernels with a sharp knife. Heat the oil over a medium-low heat in a pan and fry the shallots and celery for 8-10 mins or until soft but not golden. Add the sweetcorn kernels, lemongrass and lime leaves, and cook for a further 5 mins. Add the coconut milk and stock, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 mins or until the kernels are tender, then season well. Fish out the lime leaves and lemongrass, and blitz with a stick blender until smooth and creamy. Check for seasoning. Put back on the heat and keep warm.
step 2
For the salsa, brush the remaining corn cobs with the olive oil and put under a hot grill. Cook for 10 mins, turning frequently, until charred and starting to blacken. Remove the corn kernels as in step 1. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients with a pinch of salt.