Corn Pudding with Mushrooms and Ham

By á-9182

Because overcooking can cause this comforting pudding to separate, take it out of the oven when it’s still slightly wiggly in the center. Then give it a quick flash under the broiler to brown it.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more for pan
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan or Dry Monterey Jack, divided
• 2 cups mushrooms, such as chanterelles, torn or cut into small pieces
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 4 –5ears of corn, husked
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cupsfinely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 3 ounces very thinly sliced country ham or prosciutto, chopped
• 3 large eggs, beaten to blend

Preparation

Step 1

• Arrange a rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 350°. Generously butter an 8x8x2" glass baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with 2 Tbsp. cheese.

• Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and skillet is dry, 5–7 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer mushrooms to a small bowl; set aside. Wipe skillet clean.

• Using the large holes on a box grater, coarsely grate corn kernels from cobs into a large bowl (you should have about 2 cups).

• Melt remaining 2 Tbsp. butter with oil in same skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent (do not brown), 8–10 minutes. Stir in flour. Add grated corn; increase heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until most of liquid evaporates and corn is bright yellow, 2–3 minutes. Add cream; cook, stirring frequently, until well blended and most of liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Stir in milk, ham, 3/4 cup cheese, and reserved mushrooms. Cook, stirring often, until flavors begin to meld, 1–2 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.

•
Transfer corn mixture to a large bowl. Season eggs with salt and pepper. Add to corn mixture; stir gently to blend. Pour into prepared baking dish; sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. cheese. Set dish in a roasting pan; place in oven. Pour hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of baking dish (this will prevent eggs from curdling).

• Bake until pudding is just set in the center (center will jiggle very slightly when dish is nudged), 40–45 minutes. Use a ladle or turkey baster to remove about half of water from roasting pan to prevent any hot water from spilling when pan is lifted from oven. Remove roasting pan with pudding from oven. Remove baking dish from pan.

• Preheat broiler. Return pudding to oven; broil until top is golden brown in spots, 2–3 minutes. Let stand for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes before serving.