Bella’s Classic Creamed Corn

Thanksgiving is almost here!  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of my favorites for this fun, food-filled holiday. Up first this week… classic side dishes.

Thanksgiving is by far and away my favorite holiday and I can’t wait to dream up a new menu each year.  I like to change up the recipes that I use for side dishes like sweet potatoes and dressing…some years I go wild, other years are pretty traditional.  There are a few classics, though, that never change.  They show up on our holiday table every year.

Bella, as all the grandkids affectionately call my mom, has been making this classic creamed corn for as long as I can remember.  Now that I host Thanksgiving, she doesn’t even need to ask what she should bring along.  Every Thanksgiving, every Christmas and every Easter, you can bet it’ll be on our table.  We all adore it.

Sweet, creamy and a little decadent, it feels just right for the holidays…when you can ignore your usual lean towards healthier fare and indulge a bit for the day.  Perfect for reheating with your late-night turkey sandwich too.

Little Hands Can…

• Pour the corn into the pan
• Measure out the milk (or cream if using)
• Measure the sugar and salt
• Mix the butter and flour to make a roux

On the Side

In the same way we explored the letter A, we’re focusing on the letter “C” with this classic creamed corn recipe.  Repeat the title of this recipe to your child (emphasizing that /k/ sound at the beginning of each word)…classic creamed corn. What sound do you hear at the beginning of each word?

As you begin your recipe, review the alphabet with your child.   What sound does the letter “c” say?  “C” says /k/ (like in the word “cat”).  Sometimes, “c” says /s/ (like in the word “cent”).  Most of the time, “c” says /k/.  What does “c” say in the word “corn”?  Here are some activities you can do to explore the letter “c” and it’s sound:

• Brainstorm other food words that begin with the letter “c” (/k/): cranberries, cod, carrots, cashews, etc.
• Brainstorm other non-food words that begin with the letter “c” (/k/): cat, car, crown, cut, etc.
• Use some corn kernels from the recipe to build the letter “c”.  Or try other items that start with the letter “c” to build your letter.  Some ideas include cranberries (fresh or dried), cotton balls, cashews (if no allergy is present), toy cars, matchstick carrots, etc.

(Side note: I suggest sticking with the /k/ sound for your brainstorm to avoid confusion.  Since “c” says /k/ most often, it makes sense to introduce this sound first.  As your child gets older and learns more about letter sounds, you can explore how “c” says /s/.)

The letter “c” is a consonant. Older children might be ready to talk about the difference between consonants and vowels. What exactly is a consonant? A consonant is a letter that is not a vowel.  Using a visual alphabet, show your child (or ask them to show you, if they know their vowels) which letters are vowels and which letters are consonants.  As a challenge, see if your child can make a word using the letter “c” with each one of the vowels. What do you notice about words that start with “c” and use the vowels “a”, “o” and “u” (like “cat”, “cop” and “cup”)?  What do you notice about the words that start with “c” and use the vowels “e” and “i” (like “cent” and “city”)?

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Disclaimer: As with all of our recipes, my suggestions for how kids can help with a particular recipe are based on what has worked in our kitchen.  Your child may be able to help more or less based on their age and/or ability.