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charred corn with miso butter, bacon & garlic scapes

July 22, 2015

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charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

Last Saturday, when we were still puttering around in the throes of jet lag, a good friend dropped by to help ease us back into the real world.  She belongs to that lucky (for us) class of friends where the apartment is never too messy to have them pop in and where a squishy couch and some food is all you need for “entertainment,” which was perfect, because that’s pretty much what we had — half-unpacked duffels in the corner and all.

So we spent a sunny morning drowsily debriefing the wedding over matcha Oreos and peach cobbler, and when I finally got off my butt and into the kitchen, we had this charred corn for lunch.  It’s heavily inspired by David Chang’s roasted sweet summer corn (because there’s no way I could have dreamed up something as genius and heavenly as miso butter on my own!) but I felt like something a tad crunchier, so the corn got a quick broil before it went in the pan, and on a whim I threw in garlic scapes instead of onions for a little more texture and liveliness. The charring adds a smoky note that I’m obsessed with, especially in tandem with the same from crisped-up bacon and the contrasting bite from snappy scapes.  And then there’s the miso butter — salty, savory decadence with a hint of sweetness and the slightest fermented pucker, it’s nutty and earthy yet creamy and smooth, and just plain amazing.  The corn doesn’t need any more seasoning than that.

The first time I tried this out we devoured it plain, but this past weekend we threw it over a few sunny-side up eggs, melted mozzarella and chewy homemade tortillas, and it was beyond words.  We’re having a little DIY taco party this Sunday (wee!) and I’m thinking this might have to make yet another appearance.  It’s just too good.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

charred corn with miso butter, bacon, & garlic scapes | two red bowls

Print

Charred corn with miso butter, bacon & garlic scapes.

Print Recipe

Adapted from Momofuku, by David Chang. The first time I tested this recipe was back when scapes were curling energetically out of every other basket at the farmer’s markets, but I was pumped to find a few left this past weekend, so I hope that means they’re still around for you as well. In the off season, garlic (not regular) chives, green garlic, or chive bulbs would all work well, and in a pinch, you can use green onions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp white miso paste (or 1 tbsp red miso)
  • 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter
  • 4 cups corn kernels (about 4–5 ears)
  • 1 cup (about 6) sliced garlic scapes* (see above for substitutions)
  • 4–6 slices (about 4–5 oz) bacon, depending on your preference

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the miso paste into the butter until smooth and incorporated. It helps if the butter is softened and at room temperature, but will take a little bit of work before it’s smooth. Set aside.
  2. Turn your oven to broil and place your oven rack about 4″ to 6″ from your heating element, if needed.
  3. Line a sheet pan with foil and lightly butter or oil it. Shuck the corn, remove the silks, and cut the kernels from the cob onto the pan. Add the scapes and spread the mixture in an even layer across the pan.
  4. Broil the corn and scapes until there is visible charring in spots. This took me about 6-8 minutes in my oven, but can take as little as 3-5 minutes depending on the oven. If you see or hear a few kernels jump around in the pan, the corn is done. Remove from oven and set aside. (Alternatively, grill them!)
  5. Next, dice the bacon. Fry in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until crisp and the fat is rendered. Drain all but one tablespoon of the bacon fat. Turn the heat to its lowest setting, then add the corn and scapes to the pan and stir just until well-coated in bacon fat. Finally, add in the miso butter and cook until melted and evenly distributed. Enjoy on its own, as a side, or (our favorite) on tortillas with a fried egg and cheese.

Notes

For a creamier and softer corn, you can add about 1/2 cup of the broth of your choice, as per the original recipe, and cook until the broth no longer pools in the bottom of the pan.

Also, as an alternative to toasting your face in front of a hot oven in July, you can grill your corn on the cob (a la Joy the Baker) and slice the kernels off after grilling!

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view more: gluten-free· lunch· sides· summer

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  1. Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table

    July 22, 2015 at 7:51 am

    We have been obsessing over garlic scapes lately, and they’ve found they’re way into everything from eggs to smoothies. This combination of garlic scapes, corn and miso sounds like the perfect way to honour them even further. And welcome back!

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 23, 2015 at 8:30 am

      Garlic scape smoothies??? I’m so intrigued! I wish these babes would stay here year-round. Thank you so much, Ksenia!

      Reply
  2. molly yeh

    July 22, 2015 at 10:00 am

    eeeeeeee three cheers for corn season!!!! this looks awesome, lady!!!

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 29, 2015 at 11:33 am

      <3 <3 <3!!!

      Reply
  3. Michelle @ Hummingbird High

    July 22, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Oh my god, Cynthia, I just drooled on myself a little bit here. What an amazing recipe!

    And yes, don’t you love friends who you know so well that it doesn’t matter if the apartment is a hot mess because all you want to do is eat and gossip? It’s the best.

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 29, 2015 at 11:34 am

      The BEST! Thanks for the kind words, friend 🙂

      Reply
  4. carey

    July 22, 2015 at 11:07 am

    Oh MAN this is everything that I want to eat right now. (FACT: I was raised in a corn-obsessed family. I’m currently house-sitting for my folks in NY, and I noticed that on my dad’s weather charts [he keeps daily records of the weather….total data hoarder] he had noted “FIRST CORN” on the day they presumably had their first corn of the season….hilarious.) I have like 60% of the things I need to make this, and I will happily drive 30 minutes to the nearest grocery store to get the remaining 40%.

    Also, I have been mia forever so a much overdue Congratulations!!!! and welcome home!! xoxoxo 🙂

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 29, 2015 at 11:36 am

      Oh my gosh Carey this story made my day. First corn should totally be a personal holiday!!!! Your dad is the best.

      Um and YES omg HI!!!!! I’ve seriously been meaning to write you an email for the last million years (and catch up on your latest posts, omg that dutch baby)!! It will happen soon, I swear it. Like right now. A million x’s and o’s!!!

      Reply
  5. Cady | wildheartoflife.com

    July 22, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Mmmm miso + corn? Yes please. Gorgeous photos!

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 29, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Thank you so much, Cady!!

      Reply
  6. Summer

    July 22, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Every single part of this recipe sound amazing, Cynthia! You literally put four of my favorite things in one dish, droool. Hope you’re enjoying life back in the city and maybe we can run into each other on the train again 😀

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 29, 2015 at 11:42 am

      High-five scape twin!!!!! Thanks so much, Summer 🙂 (PS YES I so hope that happens again!!!! if not we’ll just have to make it happen :D)

      Reply
  7. Abby | Lace & Lilacs

    July 22, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    Amazing photos, Cynthia! This corn looks delicious. <3

    Reply
    • tworedbowls

      July 29, 2015 at 11:43 am

      Thank you so much, Abby!!

      Reply
  8. Karishma

    July 22, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    oh my god what this looks amazing!!! ah i love the idea of miso butter on corn. can’t wait to try this out 🙂

    also those friends are the best.

    Reply
  9. Valentina @Hortus

    July 22, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    Well, doesn’t this look great (as always)! Fun fact: in Italy, unless you live in Veneto or Tuscany, we don’t really eat corn…unless it’s in form of polenta. But I mean, *whole* corn. It’s just not really a thing, and I was never interested in it.
    Still, this all looks lovely! pointless as my comment may be, I just wanted to say yay for settling back in with a plate of ‘cozy’ stuff with friends ^___^

    Reply
  10. xoxobellablog

    July 22, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    This looks just absolutely delicious! I love corn.

    Reply
  11. Amanda | What's Cooking

    July 22, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    David Chang is amazing and I’ve been looking into experimenting with both miso and tahini for less traditional purposes. Adding miso to buttered corn is simple yet brilliant. These are the kinds of little things that elevate the ordinary to extraordinary. I think it’s great that you guys have a close friend who doesn’t make you pretend to be spotless when we all know you have to throw all the mess into the closet….oh that’s just me…I hope you’re enjoying a little downtime. You’ll have long enough to get back into the routine. Great use of seasonal corn. xo

    Reply
  12. Kathryn

    July 23, 2015 at 8:42 am

    This sound insane. Every element of this is just too good from that gorgeous charring on the corn to the miso butter (miso butter!). Hurrah for summer eating!

    Reply
  13. Ashlae

    July 23, 2015 at 11:28 am

    David Chang is brilliant. As is this recipe. Can’t wait to get my hands on some corn at the farmers market and smother some tacos in it. Or, you know, maybe just shovel it into my face with a spoon.

    Reply
  14. Beau Ciolino

    July 23, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    In love with this! Charred corn miso butter realness, what the whaaaaat! So glad you guys had such an amazing time on your trip 😀

    Reply
  15. Shikha la mode

    July 23, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    Omg I can’t remember the last time I saw the word “throes” being used and I love itttt.

    Reply
  16. Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist

    July 23, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    I second what Michelle said – I just drooled on myself! Also, matcha oreos and peach cobbler, mmmm. I love how you just casually inserted that!

    Reply
  17. todd wagner

    July 23, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Possibly the most delicious sounding recipe name in my blog feed all year…then these photos…wowza!! you’re such an inspiration, Cynthia!

    Reply
  18. Brooke Bass

    July 23, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    Isn’t that the best when you can just enjoy the simple times with friends? There’s no pressure, no expectations, just sharing and happiness. 🙂 🙂 🙂 And how could there not be happiness when there is gorgeous miso buttered corn with GARLIC SCAPES involved? Love it, Cynthia!

    Reply
  19. Matt

    July 24, 2015 at 8:47 am

    This looks fantastic!

    Reply
  20. T.U

    July 25, 2015 at 11:51 am

    Wow, awesome, never thought that miso and butter could go well together. I happen to have a lot of corns left over, time to do this miso butter 😉

    Reply
  21. Laura&Nora @Our Food Stories

    July 26, 2015 at 4:46 am

    looks very delicious! could even eat it for breakfast now 😀
    and beautiful pictures <3

    Reply
  22. dhrubaam

    July 26, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    This is a very interesting recipe. Didn’t know miso and butter could marry. Oh, and lovely pictures. 🙂

    Reply
  23. Alexa

    July 26, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    This looks incredible! First, your photos are gorgeous, and second, I’ll eat anything that involves scapes and charred corn. I’m inundated with scapes from my CSA, so I’m totally going to give this recipe a whirl as an easy weeknight dinner! Thanks for the inspiration <3

    Reply
  24. Renee Kemps

    July 27, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Miso butter. YES PLEASE. And with soft, sweet, charred corn. Gosh that sounds amazing.

    Reply
  25. SugarSpunRun

    July 28, 2015 at 9:37 am

    I’ve never cooked with scapes, but I’ve been eating corn just about every day since ears of it started appearing in the grocery stores. I’m definitely going to have to try out this gorgeous recipe 🙂

    Reply
  26. graciousstore

    July 28, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    This is real home made food, not just delicious but healthy also

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    November 8, 2020 at 12:11 am

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  2. corn, miso, & mascarpone pasta - Two Red Bowls says:
    August 27, 2023 at 12:16 pm

    […] ago now, I discovered this magical charred corn with miso butter, courtesy of David Chang. Something about corn goes hand-in-hand with miso–it brings out the […]

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Hi! I’m Cynthia

An avid eater and dabbling food-maker living in California with my husband, “Bowl #2,” and our baby bowls, Luke, Clara, and Fiona.

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