Sautéed Corn, Greens, Bacon and Scallions

This recipe came to The Times by way of Katie Workman, author of “The Mom 100 Cookbook,” a book for parents who want to feed their kids (and themselves) wholesome meals that also taste good. She took as her motto for the vegetables chapter: “They can’t eat only raw baby carrots for the rest of their lives.” She believes that reasonably lavish applications of fat (bacon bits, butter, cheese, oil) make vegetables instantly palatable, and she is right. Her default technique is to sauté a shallot in butter, turn the vegetables in the pan until they start to soften, then cover tightly and let them cook in their own steam, testing them often. Here, a colorful medley of fresh corn, bell pepper, and kale are sautéed with bacon fat, butter and shallots, then tossed with bacon bits and scallions. It's endlessly versatile – substitute carrots or summer squash for peppers, onions for shallots, spinach for kale – and could very well win over the pickiest of eaters. —Julia Moskin