Corn in Coconut Cream
Corn in Coconut is a direct translation from the Swahili name for this delicious dish, known locally as Mahindi ya Nazi. It is a wonderfully flavourful twist to corn on the cob. Creamy and spicy all at once, it makes the perfect exotic starter to just about any meal!
- 4 corn cobs cut into pieces
- 1/4 tsp. garlic paste
- 2-3 green chillies
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1 cup heavy coconut milk
- 1 cup light coconut milk
- salt to taste
- some corn flour optional
- 2 tsp. tamarind paste optional
First boil the corn pieces until the corn kernels are nice and tender. I normally pressure cook for half an hour. Drain water and set aside. Do not salt the corn.In a separate pan, pour the thin coconut milk, add salt, green chilli, turmeric powder and garlic paste. Cook this milk on a gentle flame until it starts to thicken slightly, making sure to stir all the time so that the coconut milk doesn’t ‘break’. If it doesn’t thicken, you can add a bit of corn flour. Immerse your corn pieces into this mixture and let them boil together so that the corn takes up the yummy coconut flavor and acquires a light covering of the sauce.In a different smaller pan, pour the HEAVY coconut milk. Add juice of half a lemon and 2 tsp. of tamarind sauce/paste, salt, chili powder and a pinch of turmeric. Boil this on a low flame making sure to stir all the time until it thickens and cooks through. Adjust salt/lemon/chilli. Now pour this thick sauce over the corn pieces and mix together thoroughly. You can give the combination a quick simmer and you’re done!Enjoy!