Corn Pudding with Poblanos

Ingredients:
2 ears fresh corn
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 T unsalted butter
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
3 T chopped fresh chives
1 medium poblano, seeds removed, finely chopped
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 eggs, separated

Preparing the pudding:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Remove husks form corn and put in a large pot with milk and cream. Set over low heat and bring to a simmer then shut off heat and cover to let corn steep, about 10-15 minutes. Remove corn from milk and cut the kernels off the cob with a sharp knife and set aside.

Strain the milk mixture and set back over high heat, add butter and pour in the cornmeal in a slow steady stream, whisking at the same time. Cook and whisk constantly until the cornmeal is blended in and the mixture is smooth and thick; it should look like porridge. Take the pot off the stove and fold in the corn, chives, chopped poblano, and salt and pepper. Mix in the egg yolks, one at a time, to make it more like a batter.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites (use a hand blender if you have one) until they hold stiff peaks. Fold the whites into the corn pudding to lighten it. Coat the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Spoon the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. When it's done, the corn pudding will look puffed and golden brown, like a souffle. Spoon into the bottom of bowls and serve chili over the top.

Serves 6

Variation: For a more pudding-like pudding (instead of cornbready), use 2 cups of cream and 1 1/2 cups milk, and the ratio of milk/cream to cornmeal should be 3-to-1. Adjust seasoning.