Corn Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This Italian corn salad is Chef John's recipe for a colorful vegetable salad flavored with basil and pepper and drenched in creamy, garlicky dressing.

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons water
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
olive oil
1 (16 ounce) package frozen sweet corn, thawed
1 cup diced roasted red peppers
salt and ground black pepper to taste
5 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, or more to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

Directions

1 Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, water, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning, and pinch of cayenne pepper in a medium bowl until thick and creamy. Cover dressing with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
2 Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir until light golden brown and toasted, about 15 minutes.
3 Transfer corn to a large bowl; stir in red peppers until combined. Pour and stir enough dressing into corn mixture until completely coated; season with salt and black pepper.
4 Stir in basil and pinch of cayenne pepper.