"corn smut" news and stories

Want to try a roasted corn smut tamale? What about a corn smut quesadilla? Even if you're one of those intrepid foodies who's never met an exotic delicacy you didn't like (or at least dare to try), this one from Mexico might give you pause: a slimy, gray-black corn fungus.

If the stuff looks vile, it's long been considered as such by U.S. farmers, who've spent decades and millions of dollars fighting corn smut, which can take an otherwise healthy ear of corn and exact a mutant-like transformation, turning it into something it seems that only a mother alien could love.

But looks can be deceiving. According to a recent study published in the journal Food Chemistry, this seemingly toxic avenger is actually good for you -- better, in fact, than corn itself. It's packed with a host of nutrients, including lysine, an amino acid that boosts the immune system and strengthens bones, and also the sort of soluble fiber that cuts cholesterol.

Beef tenderloin on focaccia. Photo: YumSugar

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

A delicious summer cocktail-hour menu, from black-bean cakes to grilled beef tenderloin on focaccia.

Attention, chocoholics: A new study says chocolate could save your life!

From bacon to gin and tonics, seven unconventional cupcake recipes.

Corn smut: Some consider it a plague, but many Mexicans consider it a delicacy.

Your mai tai can become everyone's mai tai with a party-sized recipe.

Coconut M&M's aren't bites of coconut filling, but rather M&M's with artificial coconut flavor.

Do you love or hate hybrid produce?