Cooking with Niki: Jessica's Corn Salad

I was able to try a fabulous dish recently at a family gathering.  At first glance, it looked quite intimidating.  Honestly, the whole thing is held together by mayonnaise—how could it taste like anything else?  What does one do in a situation like this?  I could feign “stomach troubles€ or that I have already ate, but I was already caught red handed with a semi-full plate.  I took the only option available to me at the time…

I am not usually one to try something new; you can ask my husband all about it.  It is something of a joke between us that I usually order the same items whenever we go out to eat.  Sometimes I do surprise him and try something different.

Since my cousin is a great cook, I decided to give it a taste.  Much to my surprise, it was delicious.  The top layer of chips mixed with the vegetables give it a wonderful crunchiness and thanks to the mayonnaise, it all slides down easy.  Truly, a dish fit for Kings and Siestas alike.

So here it is: Jessica’s Corn Salad

• 2 cans of whole kernel corn (drained)
• 2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise (the real stuff, not Miracle Whip)
• ½ of a green bell pepper*
• ½ of a white onion*
• 1 bag of Chili Cheese Frito Corn Chips
• Salt and Pepper to taste

*The amount of green bell pepper and onion is a guess.  Depending on your tastes, feel free to use more or less.

1. Finely chop the green bell pepper and the onion
2. Mix the corn, cheese, mayonnaise, green bell pepper, and onion together
3. Spread into a dish
4. Optional: Chill in refrigerator for an hour or two before adding topping
5. Add Chili Cheese Fritos (or equivalent brand) to top before serving
6. Enjoy!

Here are some pictures of my first attempt.  I must say, it tasted just like hers. It is wonderful for picnics, family gatherings, and just to munch on as a quick snack (grab some corn chips and just turn the whole thing into a dip!).  I have read online that some people like to add a tablespoon or two of ranch dressing in it for a different taste.  My husband thinks that it would be immensely better if there were a few chopped jalapenos hidden inside somewhere, but I did not like that idea.  I will let him make his own batch.