Ranch-Style Elote / Esquites (Mexican Corn) 3 Ways #RSC

Ready, Set, Cook! Hidden Valley Contest Entry. This is a wonderful Mexican street cart food, that is either served on the cob (Elote), or off the cob in cups (Esquites), by vendors. This is an American twist on a Mexican favorite. I would suggest trying all 3 preparation methods to see which one appeals to you. Enjoy! *Note: Prep and cook time does not include the dressing prep. Also, being that it's the dead of winter in Midwest USA when I created this, I used frozen corn on the cob, but I would suggest using fresh.I highly recommend making the dressing at least 2 hours (or more), before serving, so that the flavors have time to blend. *** At the end of the directions (Steps #12-#15), you will find the traditional ingredients for this recipe.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 ears of corn

Ingredients

• 4  ears fresh corn (you can use frozen in a pinch)
• 1⁄4 cup  plain  Greek yogurt
• 2  tablespoons  whole milk
• 2 -3  teaspoons  Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing and Seasoning Mix (to taste)
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄3 cup fresh parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 1  tablespoon fresh chives (finely chopped)
• 1  lemon, sliced length-wise into wedges
•  salt & pepper (to taste)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

Directions

1. Start by making the dressing. In a small glass bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with milk and the "Hidden Valley Ranch" seasoning mix, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 24 hours) -- and away we go! --.
2. "Stove-top / Broiling method for Elote": On the stove-top, boil frozen corn on the cob according to package instructions, (or micro-wave, per instructions). If using fresh, remove husks and boil corn in large sauce pan until tender. IMPORTANT: Save about 1/2 c of the water from the boiling process (it contains the starch) for the "Esquites" preparation method.
3. While corn is boiling, preheat oven to 500* F with a rack set in middle of oven.
4. When the corn is cooked thru, remove the ears of corn to a platter.
5. Okay, here is where we can 'part ways' on cooking methods -- but for now, I'm sticking with the stove-top / broiler method for "Elote".
6. Now that the corn is cooked, line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Brush each ear of corn with the melted butter, salt and pepper lightly and place on tray (NO chili powder yet).
7. Place tray in oven and bake for approx 15 minutes +/-, rotating (rolling) corn often, until all sides are lightly browned. Once you've reached your desired browning, remove the corn to that same platter that we dirtied earlier.
8. "Grilled Elote" (the true way): The other alternative is using your grill to brown. If you are starting your corn on the grill, (while skipping the boiling method), be sure to remove silk only, and soak corn in water before grilling. Leave husks on while grilling, until your ready to brown them. when cooked thru, remove husks, brush with melted butter and grill ears, while turning, to desired browning has been achieved.
9. (There you have the basics done. Now, were 'parting ways' again -- You can have one cob each that serves 4, or you can cut each cob in half to make 8 small servings. Now, at this point, you can shave the kernels off of the cob using a serrated knife, into a bowl, and "voila", we are now morphing into "Esquites" -- but please wait patiently for that).
10. If you want "Elote", leave the cob in tact, slather it with the dressing we made earlier, heavily sprinkle on the grated Parm and add a little minced chives. (Heck, roll it thru them)! Squeeze a wedge of lemon over the whole thing, and add the touch of chili powder (if you so desire). Now your Americanized Ranch version of "Elote" is done.
11. "Esquites": You've shaved the kernels off the cob after boiling and browning. Now put the kernels in a bowl, add the desired amount of water that the corn was boiled in (1/4-1/2 c), then throw in a heap of the dressing, cheese and chives and mix well. Squeeze a couple of lemon wedges 'over the top' (only after mixing). Enjoy!
12. *** I used the following substitutions to make my "Ranched-up" version vs the traditional:
13. Greek Yogurt, milk & Ranch seasoning = mayo.
14. Parmesan cheese = Cotija cheese.
15. lemon = lime.