I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love the marriage of seasoned pasta and sweet corn. The flavors really work but the texture combination is what really gets me. Add feta and some shrimp to this dish and as my grandfather would say, “fuggetaboutit!”. Feel free to switch up the protein and the veg but please trust me on the corn! Try and buy the corn as local as possible as corn is more delicious the less it has to travel.

What you’ll need:

• Whole corn kernels from 2 ears of corn

• 6 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3/4 cup feta cheese

• 1/2 white onion, sliced

• 2 tbsp roasted garlic and it’s oil (use 2 tbsp of olive oil and 4 cloves of sliced garlic in its place if you do not have it)

• 1# shrimp, deveined and peeled

• Juice and zest from 1 whole lemon

• 6 or so leaves of basil, torn

• 2 servings pasta of choice + 1/2 cup of pasta water!

What you’ll do:

Add garlic oil and onions to sauce pan on medium heat. Cook until onions begin to soften (4 minutes) or so. Add in tomatoes and corn kernels and cook until tomatoes begin to burst and soften and some color is on the corn. Add in your cleaned shrimp and cook until lightly pink. At the same time you add your shrimp, begin cooking your pasta in salted, boiling water. Add in your lemon juice/zest and basil to your sauce. Add in 3 or so tablespoons of your pasta water to add creaminess and seasoning to your sauce! Add more to get the right creamy/glossy consistency. Cook your pasta according to package directions or for just a few minutes if using your very own fresh (fingers crossed!). Pull pasta right as it’s slightly under done and strain, reserving some of the pasta water. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and adjust consistency using the pasta water. Add in your feta cheese, stir and then taste!

Does it need more salt? Is it too salty? Do you want more herbs? Does your pasta need to cook in the sauce longer to get the right texture?

Play around with what you like and go with your gut! Build up your confidence in the kitchen by having fun and taking risks. You will surprise yourself!

Enjoy!!