What better way to celebrate late summer and early fall than with Grilled Corn Soup — it just may just be one of my favourites. But with over 40 soup recipes on the blog, it’s hard to choose! If you’re a corn lover too, you need to try this. I first made this at the cottage seven years ago, and it’s still a soup I dream about.
Memories of the Lake in September 2014
There’s something special about being at the lake in September, and this year the weather has been especially beautiful. Yes, it’s been hot, humid and stormy at times this first week of the ninth month, but it’s also been sunny, breezy and crisp. The nights are cool enough to entice deep slumber. The lake has been calm all week, and a study in shades of blue. And the light …. there’s that golden glow that happens only in autumn. The leaves of the poplars are starting to yellow and drop, skittering across the ground. It’s the best of summer and fall combined.
My heart is filled with gratitude to be able to be here and bask in all that nature offers. It’s been a balm and a blessing.
Grilled Corn Soup
Fresh-picked corn is another of life’s great pleasures, and it’s available in abundance at the local farm market. An idea for corn soup has been playing around in my mind, and what better place to make it than here?
I’ve used corn in soups before, but this time it was to be the star of the pot. I grilled the corn to enhance its flavour before cutting it off the cob. The corn was complemented by a supporting cast of local, seasonal produce: new potatoes, field tomatoes, onion and garlic, and the assertive, herbaceous note of fresh basil.
I made this soup on September 1, and I have to say that if I didn’t cook another thing in September this would still be a memorable month in the kitchen. It’s one of the best soups I’ve ever made.
The first night I enjoyed it under lamplight during a thunderstorm, watching the lightning over the lake. It was even better the next couple of days, especially eaten down on the beach under the shade of the big umbrella.
I used the seasonings of the southwest, but kept them restrained so the crisp sweetness of the corn shines. The onions are tangy, the tomatoes mellow, the slices of new potato tender. This soup is a celebration of textures, flavours, colours and, above all, the bounty of this glorious season.
Grilled Corn Soup is a celebration of textures, flavours, colours and, above all, the bounty of this glorious season, highlighted by subtle southwest seasonings. If you're a corn lover, you'll be glad you made this soup.
- 4 cobs fresh corn
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 large onion cut lengthwise, then thinly sliced
- 2 large cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 large field tomatoes cubed (but not peeled)
- 5 – 7 small new potatoes halved and sliced 1/4″ thick (skins on)
- 900 ml vegetable stock low sodium if possible
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- generous grinding of fresh pepper I estimate I used at least 1/2 tsp
- pinch salt, or to taste
- juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 to 1-1/2 tbsp)
- handful fresh basil leaves chiffonaded (roll lthe leaves together, then slice them thinly)
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While the barbecue or grill is heating up, shuck and trim four cobs of corn and rub them with a little bit of olive oil. Grill the corn, turning every few minutes, until there’s a nice degree of caramelization. Many of the kernels will still be yellow, but that’s okay. Set the grilled cobs aside to cool while you work on other elements of the soup.
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Heat the rest of the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook for a few minutes until they soften but don’t let them brown.
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Add the paprika and ground cumin, stirring well, and let the spices mellow out with the onions and garlic for a few minutes. Then stir in the tomatoes and potatoes and add the stock. It’s time to toss in the oregano and a good grinding of pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Then turn the heat to the lowest setting and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are almost tender enough to eat.
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While the soup is simmering, cut the corn kernels from the cobs. To do this, set a small bowl upside down in a wide, shallow dish. Holding the cob with the stem end on the small dish, and using a good chef's knife, slice off the kernels. This method prevents escapee kernels all over your counter. (Or use my new favourite method: lay the cob on a cutting board, steady it, then carefully slice off a few rows of kernels. Roll and continue slicing until all the kernels are off.) Once the kernels are removed, scrape the cobs with the back of your chef's knife to extract all the delicious corn juices. Waste not!
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When the potatoes are almost tender, taste and adjust the soup for seasoning. Then add the corn kernels and simmer the soup for another 20 minutes.
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Just before serving, add the lime juice to the soup pot and the basil, reserving some for garnish.
No barbecue? Or no fresh corn? You can still “pan grill” the corn, using a skillet (preferably cast iron). Just rub the cobs with a bit of oil as per the directions here. And if it’s the middle of winter when you get a craving for this soup, put a small amount of oil in the pan and “grill” some frozen corn. We gotta do what we gotta do!
Looking for More Soups with Corn?
Corn is used in a lot of dishes around here, and soup is no exception. Sometimes it plays the lead role, and sometimes it part of the supporting cast. Regardless, it’s one of my favourite ingredients to work with. May I suggest Silky Corn Soup, Late Summer Soup with Butternut Squash, Corn and Red Lentils, or Golden Summer Soup with Turmeric and Celery Leaf?
First Published 2014 09 04
Republished 2020 08 28
Republished 2021 09 27
Marlene The calm of the water and the ingredients of that corn soup looks delicious…
Thank you, Suzanne. It was wonderful to eat a bowl of that soup right by the water!
Why is corn so good in soups?!!! This looks lovely. And the pre-grilling of the corn must really enhance all of the flavors. Fabulous!
I think the way corn keeps its crispness is one of the reasons it works so well in soups; it’s a real textural surprise. Plus, let’s face it, it just tastes so darned good. Thanks for your comment!
Yum. !! I’m all over this one.
I might decide to substitute cilantro for basil, since that’s what I have on hand. But YUM!!! Thanks for the great idea! (our local farmers have the best corn, and we bought way too much of it, and are looking for ways to use it up).
Funny thing … my plan was to use cilantro in the soup, but I couldn’t find any at the farm market or at the grocery store in the town near to the cottage. So, I went with the basil. Cilantro would definitely work, and heighten the southwest flavour profile.
I’m so glad you liked the idea for the soup. If you still have a lot on hand, you could always freeze the kernels. I just read a good how-to about that on the blog Simple Bites, here: http://www.simplebites.net/how-i-freeze-big-batches-of-sweet-corn/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SimpleBites+%28Simple+Bites%29&doing_wp_cron=1410051628.0786259174346923828125
We were at the Farmers’ Market this morning, bought another dozen ears. + Tomatoes. I LOVE SUMMER!
Too bad, it’s such a short season…
I love summer, but it’s fall that’s my favourite season. I’m blessed to be at the lake now, where I’m enjoying the transition from one season into the next. Hot (or warm) days and cool, crisp nights, and that beautiful golden light, plus groaning tables of produce at the farm market … it’s a wonderful time of year.
It IS a wonderful time of year. My favorite. So glad you’re feeling the blessing of it.
Thinking of you… <3
Thank you … it has meant a lot over these past months to know there are such kind and supportive people out there. I’m happy to say that the changing season marks my return to my normal routines, as the consuming work of preparing my mother’s home for sale has been completed. It feels good to know that when I return home from this holiday I’ll be able to focus on my work and interests. Again, thank you so much — hugs. 😊
I, too, use corn in soups, Mar, but more as a garnish than a true ingredient. Love the unexpected “pop” of flavor. I bet this soup of yours tastes fantastic, especially being that you’ve grilled the corn a bit first. I also think that going southwest was a great way to go.
Early mornings on the lake shore are really special, aren’t they? You can almost feel the earth stirring, waking up to meet the morning sun.
I’m a total sucker for the crispy texture and sweet pop of corn, John. I keep thinking I’d like to use it with different flavour profiles, but I’m usually drawn to the southwest when I’m using corn. I love what you said about early mornings on the lake. So true. I started my days there with a walk, usually 8.8 km (4 miles) and some days up to about 10 km. I’m back in the city and about to go hit the pavement now …. a lovely walk in its own way, but let’s face it, just not the same.
What a lovely soup to enjoy during the last days of summer. Your post reminded me of how nice the lake in Maine was after most of the tourists had left…many days we wouldn’t see a single boat.
This was a great summer soup, and by freezing corn kernels I can reproduce it in winter too. (Whether or not I’ll get to that this year is another thing.) The last day of my holiday on the beach was picture perfect, and almost no one happened by. There’s something special about feeling like you have the lake to yourself, isn’t there.
I love stopping by your blog, Mar, the colors and veggies from the fall harvest are just so beautiful in your recipes. I also love seeing your lakeside photos.. how I wish I was at the lake right now, it’s so peaceful isn’t it? xx
Thanks so much, Barb! I’m so drawn to the lake. It’s been beautifully warm here, and we spent some time at the beach today. It was lovely … all I needed to make it better was a bowl of this soup!
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hope you are keeping safe and same here take good care..
My family and I are all doing well, Suzanne. I wish the same for you and yours.
I remember your corn soup because you mentioned that it was one of the best soups you ever made. Something that memorable should definitely be made again.
You have such a good memory for recipes! Then again, I remember a lot of events according to the food that was served, so that’s certainly something we have in common. I’ve been trying to revisit my older recipes and bring them back into the spotlight on the blog. I’m getting close to 600 recipes here, so it’s satisfying to go through and dust off the old favourites.