Maque Choux

Maque Choux, what is it? How do you even pronounce it?  Maque Choux, pronounced Mach Shoe, it a corn dish cooked with tomatoes.  There are many variations, such as cooking it with shrimp, andouille sausage or tasso ham, as I have here.  It's thought that the Cajuns brought the method of this dish with them when they settled in Southeast Louisiana from Nova Scotia and added the corn which was a staple of the Native Americans already settled in the area.

What I do know is my version of this dish can stand alone as an entree or as a hearty side dish.

2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/2 red bell pepper diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 stalk celery diced
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups thinly sliced tasso ham
1 can fire roasted, diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped, fresh thyme
3 ears fresh corn
1/2 cup half-n-half or evaporated milk
1/2 cup vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Heat up the canola oil in a saute pan over medium heat.  Add the onions and cook them until they begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.  Stir in the tasso ham, red bell peppers, celery, garlic and jalapeno peppers.  Continue sauteing for 3 to 4 more minutes.  While the veggies are sauteing, slice the corn kernels from the cob, hang on to the cobs. Add the corn kernels and the thyme to the pan,  cook for about 2 more minutes.  Using a spoon, scrape the milky liquid from the corn cobs into the saute pan, then add the fire roasted tomatoes, half-n-half and vegetable stock.  Allow everything to come to a simmer and lower heat and gently simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce thickens.  Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley. 

Then there's this:

 So delicious, you'll have to give this a try!

 

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