Although one might expect famous stars to be constantly dining on elite gourmet treats such as Pate de Foie Gras and Boeuf Bourguignonne, Mexico’s Salma Hayek prides herself on having a palate that is a bit different.
Hayek’s favorite food? Surprisingly, it’s corn on the cob.
So much so that she has trained the chefs at internationally famous restaurants such as El Bodegon in Madrid, Nobu in New York City, and even the first class section of Air France to prepare it especially for her when she dines there.
And sometimes she enjoys eating it raw. “Fresh sweet corn has an amazing taste,” says Hayek, who will be the recipient of a special “Women in Hollywood Award” from Elle magazine this coming Monday in Beverly Hills. “It doesn’t need a thing added to it.”
But corn grilled over coals in its husk in the traditional Mexican way is also a primal favorite of the tawny “Frida” beauty.
Advises Hayek: “If you’re planning to serve corn at your barbecue, cut some cobs into pieces and serve as appetizers. Chances are, you’ll end up eating half of it raw. When you need an excuse to eat lots of butter and salt, then is the time to grill the other half of the cobs.”
Hayek’s other culinary favorite for fall is the raspberry cordial, an easy-to-make vodka infusion she says is perfect for Autumn entertaining -- "just make sure to plan in advance,” she advises.
Salma Hayek’s Raspberry Cordial
Ingredients:
2 quarts (8 c.) raspberries
2 quarts (8 c.) vodka
2 quarts (8 c.) water
2 ½ c. sugar
Directions:
* Mix raspberries and alcohol and let sit two weeks in sterilized gallon-sized glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
* After approximately two weeks, strain raspberries into a sieve.
* Mix water and sugar. Heat until dissolved. Mix water and sugar with strained raspberry mixture and stir well.
* Pour into sterilized glass containers and age in a dark, cool spot for a couple of months. Adjust the final infusion based on your personal taste, adding water as needed.
Yield: About 1 ½ gallons
Also to be honored at Elle’s “Women in Hollywood” event this Monday are Nicole Kidman (presenter: Shirley MacLaine); Isla Fisher (presenter: Courtney Cox); Kerry Washington (presenter: Jane Fonda); Halle Berry (presenter: Bernadette Peters); Jennifer Aniston (presenter: Tina Fey); Sigourney Weaver (presenter: Amy Poehler) and Anne Hathaway (presenter: Sarah Jessica Parker).
