Sweet Corn Flans with Tomato-Corn Relish

Delicate corn custards topped with a fresh tomato and corn relish. These savory flans combine the sweetness of fresh corn with a hint of cayenne, complemented by a bright summer relish of tomatoes, red onion, and basil.

4 servings
3 hr 30 min

Ingredients

  • 3 ears fresh corn, shucked
  • cup 1% milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon cayenne
  • ¾ cup corn reserved from flans
  • 6 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes
  • cup chopped red onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
  • 4 pieces ramekins

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 350°F.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Cook corn in a pot of boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Cut off kernels with a sharp knife into a bowl, scraping ears. Reserve 3/4 cup for relish and purée remainder in a blender with milk until smooth. Force corn purée through a fine sieve into a bowl, discarding skins.

    15 min

  4. 4.

    Whisk together eggs, salt, and cayenne until blended and whisk in corn purée.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Pour flan mixture into lightly oiled ramekins and bake in a hot-water bath just until set, about 40 minutes.

    40 min

  6. 6.

    Remove ramekins from water bath and cool on a rack. Chill until cold, about 2 hours.

    120 min

  7. 7.

    Stir together corn, tomatoes, onion, and basil. Stir in oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

    10 min

  8. 8.

    Run a thin knife around edge of each flan, then invert flans onto plates. Spoon relish over them.

    5 min