You had me at...

So this recipe for Fresh Summer Corn Cakes HAD me at "corn cakes"...but it was the part that followed that REALLLLLLLY sold me.  And it was awesome!

But first, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.  Let's start with the cakes, shall we?

I shucked 3 ears of corn directly into a bowl (letting all of the juices collect right along with the kernels)...

Take two-thirds of the corn and toss it in a blender or a food process for a quick blend...

I mixed the 'creamed' corn back in the bowl with the whole kernels and added:

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or white)
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 of a diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons diced chives
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• SALT & pepper  (make sure you salt these well...I did NOT and noticed it quickly!)

Mix until JUST blended.  Do not over mix or the batter will get tough.

Heat a pan with a couple tablespoons of canola oil before dropping the mix by rounded tablespoon into the oil...

The batter will be sticky, so it's easier to flatten the cakes once their flipped.  Just be sure that all the edges are cooked & lightly browned.

Once both sides of the 'cakes are browned, let them hang out for a few minutes on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil and then pop in the toaster oven to keep warm.

Once the cakes are cooked, it's time to work on the BEST PART!!!!

THE AVOCADO SALSA!!

And you know how I LOVE me some avocado!

In a bowl mix in:

• 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes (roasted and cooled if you're like me J)
• 1/4 cup diced chives
• 1/4 of a diced red onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• Drizzle of olive oil & red wine vinegar
• salt & pepper

And lastly, fold in the beauteous diced avocado!

DO. NOT. SKIP this stuff!!!  The corn cakes were tasty and flavorful....but the salsa???

Oh my God...the salsa.  It just put it OVER. THE. TOP!

I keep trying to think of more things to 'top with it!  Hell, I think my SHOE would taste good topped with avocado salsaJ  

And if you didn't catch my subtle hints, I'll repeat again:  DON'T SKIP THE SALSA!!!

Alright, well I think I've used my quota of the word salsa for the dayJ  Hope you guys have a great TuesdayJ