Summer Corn au Gratin

RECIPE INGREDIENTS --6 ears of fresh corn or 1 (12-oz.) can corn kernels, drained --3 tablespoons butter or margarine --1 small onion, finely chopped --1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped --3 tablespoons all-purpose flour --2 cups milk --1 cup shredded cheddar cheese --2 eggs, well beaten --1 teaspoon sugar --Salt and pepper to taste --1/2 cup bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish. If fresh corn is used, remove husk and silk, and cut kernels from cob.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt butter or margarine. Add onion and bell pepper and saute until tender; stir in flour and then add milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture has thickened and is smooth.

Remove from heat; add corn, cheddar cheese, eggs, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Pour into prepared casserole dish and top with bread crumbs. Set into a shallow pan of hot water and bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Makes 6 servings. Pies & Plates is a popular retail store and restaurant in Punta Gorda, Florida. This recipe was published in Pies & Plates' newsletter - Food for Thought. To subscribe to Food for Thought go to www.piesandplates.com!