Unusually (for me), I've been on a bit of a Mexican food kick lately – tacos, fajitas, spicy chili. I can't really explain it, but I do know that Green Giant Mexicorn is a prized ingredient during my forays south of the border. The name alone would justify buying it, but it also happens to be a colorful and tasty addition to all kinds of dishes.

The first time I saw Mexicorn in the store, I did a double take at the name. Surely it wasn't really called that? But it was, and I guess nobody has complained or they'd have taken it off the shelves by now. Alas, the Green Giant isn't wearing a sombrero and poncho, or brandishing maracas on the label, just standing around in his green leafy tunic tipping a wink at you, the consumer. I really love saying "Mexicorn," and will create opportunities to say it, because it makes me snicker every time.

When you open your convenient pop-top can, you will behold 11 full ounces of delicious yellow corn, mixed with diced red and green sweet peppers. Now, I have to admit I've never eaten this by itself – I've only used it as an ingredient in cooking. But the corn is sweet and tender, and the red and green peppers add some colorful flair to your finished dish. I generally add it to chicken and corn chili, but you could also throw it in your cornbread for a festive touch, use it as a salad topping, serve it as an easy side dish on its own, or use it anywhere that you would normally use regular corn.

If one were to cruise over to the Betty Crocker website and go to the Recipes section, one could find plenty of recipes featuring Mexicorn, like Southwestern Potato Patties, Corn and Black Bean Wraps, or Spicy Skillet Chicken. You can search by ingredient (most of their recipes craftily use one or more products from their food empire) and easily find lots of new ways to incorporate Mexicorn into your kitchen adventures.

For about $1 for the 11-oz can, it's a little pricier than plain canned corn, and yes, you could just buy your own red and green peppers and mix them in. But this way is so much more fun and convenient, for just a few cents more! Which I say makes it pretty darn Americorn.

Ingredients: Golden Whole Kernel Corn, Water, Red and Green Sweet Peppers, Sugar, Salt.

Nutritional information is available here: http://www.generalmills.com/stream_image.aspx?rid=31346



Recommended: Yes