Humita in a Pot

Thick enough to eat with a spoon or fork, these creamy corn cakes with added vegetables are made in single-serving ramekins rather than the traditional Argentinian version in corn husks.

SERVINGS: 12
SERVING SIZE: 1 ramekin (85 grams)
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOKING TIME: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, divided
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 5 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Fill two 9-by-12-inch glass baking dishes with ½ inch water to create a water bath.
2. Place six 3-ounce ramekins in each dish. Coat each ramekin with cooking spray.
3. In a nonstick frying pan, heat oil over low heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cover and stir occasionally until onions are translucent and peppers soften, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Using a mixer, beat ¾ cup ricotta for about 30 seconds. Add milk and whip until creamy. Slowly add in cornstarch and continue to blend until incorporated.
5. In a food processor, pulse corn until it becomes a coarse mixture.
6. To ricotta mixture, add corn, salt and red pepper flakes and mix. Stir in onion and bell pepper. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
8. Scoop batter into ramekins. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until they begin to set.
9. Remove from oven (they will continue to set, but not get too firm).
10. Garnish each with 1 teaspoon ricotta and 1 teaspoon green onion.