Do you think it would be good without the basil for a winter meal?

Agree - use fresh thyme...

Thyme also goes well with corn. I've used it in corn pudding (not this, but a similar recipe), corn chowder, etc.

I think so. (I guess you'd have to use frozen corn.) You might want to increase the scallions. Can you get fresh sage? (I used to grow it and would often have a little left in the winter.) There's a corn risotto with fresh sage on this site http://food52.com/recipes/6334_corn_risotto_garnished_with_bacon_anchovy_sage_leaf_bite that's really delicious. Sage would be great.