How To Pick The Best Sweet Corn
The key to really fantastic grilled sweet cornis really fantastic sweet corn. If you try to grill older pieces of sweet corn that have started to dry up a bit, your grilled corn wont taste good.
The key to picking the best sweet corn is to look for ears of corn with golden silk if the silk has spots of black in it, the corns on its way out. The corn should also smell fairly sweet and should be firm, not mushy, when pressed with your thumb.
How Do You Cook Corn On The Cob
Do you boil it?;Oh, no no no.; If you do, please dont anymore! All of that sweet deliciousness is being left right in your boiling water!
Do you microwave it?; Oh, Paula and Martha should be pounding on your door!; I dont care how many promises Pinterest makes about the silks sliding right off when you microwave it, dont do that either!
Do you grill it after shucking?;STOP! Yes those grill marks are so pretty, but youre making more work for yourself. Youll never have to use one of these again, although, it is pretty cool.
Roasting Corn In Foil
This method is for all you buttery corn enthusiasts out there. Husk the corn, wrap it in foil with a dab of butter, and roast the little packets of corn goodness until tender. These corn cobs will essentially steam inside the foil, creating a corn that is both tender and sweet.
Try this when: Youre cooking and serving corn for a crowd and you also need to keep the corn warm for serving later. Done in 30 minutes.
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Oven Roasted Corn On The Cob
Love corn on the cob? Try roasting it whole in the oven with this easy recipe by Tyler Florence from Food Network.
Provided by Tyler Florence
| 5 grams |
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place corn husks directly on the oven rack and roast for 30 minutes or until corn is soft. Peel down the husks and use as a handle when eating.
Or Corn Husks Removed:
A second option for cooking corn on the grill is to remove the husk entirely! This method is good for a quick easy fix and often results in a bit more char.
I prefer this method for dishes like;Grilled Corn Salad or Mexican Elote where youd like to have a bit more char and smoky flavor in the recipe.
- To Grill Corn without Husks: Place on the grill, turning to a new side every few minutes until steaming hot and tender.
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The Essentials For Grilled Corn Perfection
Grilling corn seems like a basic enough task, yet most grillers cannot agree on the best method. Here we break down why we dont soak the husk, and how removing some of the husk helps the corn cook and later peel off. We also share a tiny trick for getting some nice blackening on the kernels if youre into that smoky, charred flavor.
What Well Cover
- How to serve corn
Should I Add Oil Or Water
There are several schools of thought on this issue. Some folks think its best to brine the corn first, to add salt and moisture. Others swear by a spritz of vegetable oil, preferably butter-flavored, or they rub the cob in real butter. Purists maintain you can just slap the corn right on the grill exactly the way it is.
As far as brining goes, Ive seen many, many websites suggesting this is the only way to go.
A typical recipe says to soak the corn in a gallon of water with a ¼-cup of salt for up to an hour. They claim it seeps into all the pores and crevices, keeping the kernels tender and juicy. Sounds plausible
One voice stood out above the crowd as being the most authoritative on the subject, however, probably because he or she was the only one who seemed to actually test the process rather than just reiterate what others were saying. The evidence presented is compelling.
The source actually brined some corn to varying degrees, something I didnt see anyone else trying. Photographs in the article show deflated kernels after brining, and the longer the corn sat in the solution, the worse it got.
Unlike wet brining meats, which increases moisture in the final cooked product, the salt removed moisture from the corn kernels, making it tough and mealy. Not very appealing!
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Why Should You Grill Corn On The Cob In Foil
When you grill corn on the cob in foil, the prep is minimal and the kernels turn out so moist and flavorful. The foil traps the steam and corn juices to keep the ears from drying out so theres no need for pre-soaking the corn.
On hot summer days, you can avoid turning on your stove by cooking foil-wrapped corn outside on the grill. Cooking corn in foil requires hardly any prep and is the easiest method. It is also quick and takes just 15-20 minutes on a grill at medium/high heat.
Grilled Corn On The Cob
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Grilled Corn on the Cobis definitely something to get fired up about. Its amazing how a little smoke and a little char enhances the sweetness and brings out the true flavor of corn.
A traditional grilled corn recipe is served slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt. It goes perfect next to grilled classic hamburgers, steak, grilled chicken or BBQ chicken. The pure taste of summer!
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How To Cook Corn In Husk
My great aunt shared this way to prepare corn with me when I was younger. Ive been doing it for a few years now and well never fix corn on the cob a different way.
Its delicious, easy, and easy. Oh, I already said that? Well, I do like easy recipes!
To keep your husks from burning and/or catching fire on your grill, be sure to soak them.; You can do this in a bowl, but I just stick them straight in the sink.
I just leave my corn soaking in the sink, but you could also do this in a plastic tub outside or anywhere you are grilling.
Be sure theyre good and wet so your corn doesnt dry out on the grill. Youll want to soak corn for grilling for 15 minutes before you put it on a hot grill.
Transfer your soaking wet corn cobs to the grill.; I usually grill everything on Med-High. I put them right on the grill beside whatever else Im grilling.
How To Grill Corn
Learn how to grill corn with husks and without husks with this easy step-by-step tutorial. Grilling corn on the cob makes it sweet and smokey!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Here is how to grill fresh corn on the cob. Follow the directions below to cook corn on the cob with or without the husks your choice. To roast quickly, place totally shucked corn directly on the grate. For a slower, sweeter result, soak and grill with husks on.
Fresh corn done on the grill is roasted summer goodness on a plate.
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Roasting Corn In The Husk
This is my personal favorite way to roast corn in the oven. All you need to do is trim the silk at the top of each cob and set the cobs on an oven rack. The husk will dry and pull away in the oven, browning a few of the kernels but also making removing the husk even easier after cooking. The taste is subtly sweet and less caramelized than roasting the corn without the husk.
This method is best for: When you dont have a lot of prep time for husking and want to get the corn started right away. Done in about 30 minutes.
What Else Can You Do With Corn
If the prospect of grilling corn does not excite you, there are a number of other things that you can do with corn for every type of corn lover. Although the limits are endless when it comes to the different ways you can use corn in the kitchen, there is a handful that are extra practical.
Corn makes a great addition to many salsas, adding an extra spark to both mild and spicier varieties. If you are in the mood for a breakfast treat, consider opting for some corn pancakes or waffles, which you can make into sweet dishes or savory options.
Corn kernels also make cracking additions to most soups and salads, especially chowders where the corn is cooked for a long time. Or, if you are in the market for some fresh vegetables, simply cook some corn kernels to make a great side dish for meals of all sorts.
The bottom line is that corn is a very diverse ingredient that you can do all sorts of things with. Although grilling corn on the cob is one of the most popular ways to utilize corn, thinking outside the box opens up a whole world of possibility in terms of corn, so feel free to try corn in a new light.
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How To Buy Fresh Corn On The Cob
When buying corn, its not always possible to peel back a corner of the husk to make sure the kernels are plump and fresh. In fact, at some places, its frowned upon. So, when buying corn, keep these tips in mind:
- Feel the corn through the husk and make sure it feels firm; it should not feel soft or mushy. The kernels should be intact make sure there aren’t empty places where the kernels should be.
- The husk should be green and tight. Dried-out or brown husks means the corn is old. Also, keep an eye out for little brown holes, especially near the top, as this is a sign of worms or insects.
- Look at the tassels sticking out from the top of the corn. They should be light brown or gold and a little sticky.
Toppings For Grilled Corn
Heres the fun part: the toppings for this grilled corn in foil! Just the butter, salt and pepper in the recipe below is tasty enough. But if you want to get a little fancier, heres what we recommend:
- Fresh parsley, cilantro or chives. A little thinly sliced green herb looks lovely .
- Paprika or smoked paprika. A sprinkle of red adds color and flavor.
- Old Bay. This famous seasoning is perfect on corn .
- Mexican street corn . One of the very best ways to eat corn is as Mexican street corn : a creamy, spiced sauce, sprinkle of cheese, lime and cilantro. Its heavenly!
- Ranch. Try this ranch seasoning on corn: its surprisingly good!
- Greek seasoning. This Greek seasoning features basil, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder: perfect for sprinkling on corn.
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Tips For Grilling Corn
How To Remove Corn From The Cob
For this easy corn salad recipe, youll need to remove the kernels from the cob after theyve been grilled and cooled . You can buy a tool to remove the kernels, but to be completely honest, I find it just as easy to do with a knife.
- Place the cob upright on a cutting board.
- Using a straight edged paring knife, slice the kernels off as close to the cob as you can.
This easy trick keeps the kernels intact and gives them the perfect crunch for this amazing corn and tomato salad!
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How To Prepare Corn Before Cooking
Before you start grilling your corn, whether it be on an outdoor grill or on one of the many alternatives to an outdoor grill, there are some tips you can utilize to optimize your corn experience.
Following these bits of advice can help you prevent your corn from burning, while at the same time allowing you to add some moisture to the corn.
For grilling of any sort, soak your corn for at least half an hour, but no more than eight hours. While this step is by no means necessary, you might end up finding that this little extra bit of work pays off in your final product.
In terms of corn husks, removing the husk before cooking is also not completely mandatory to properly cook your corn on the cob. If you decide to grill the corn without the husk, make sure to pay attention to the corn, as not having a husk puts your corn at risk of burning without your noticing.
If you decide to keep your corn husks on your corn ears, you might want to peel back some of the husk so that the corn on the inside cooks quicker.
Cutting off a couple of inches of the stringy part of the corn husk will also reduce the chance that your corn husks will catch fire and burn, while is especially hazardous if you are using an indoor grill.
Top Tips For Grilling Corn On The Cob
- Always start with the freshest corn possible. As soon as corn is picked off the stalk, it starts to lose its natural sugars and convert them to starch. So, a cob picked the same morning you are going to grill will be sweeter than a cob picked a day or two before. The best way to guarantee fresh corn is to pick up a few ears from your local farmers market or farm stand. Look for husks that are tightly wrapped and green. Get more tips for choosing the best ear of corn.
- To soak or not to soak, that is the question. Some folks believe you can get a little extra steam power by soaking corn in water for 15 minutes before grilling.
- Want that grilled corn flavor but don’t want to gnaw the cob? No problem! After grilling your cob, hold it vertically over a plate or bowl with the pointed end down, and use a small, sharp knife to scrape the kernels from the cob. Serve it as is or toss it into a grilled corn salad.
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Why You Should Stop Grilling Your Corn This Summer
This Memorial Day weekend, you’ll probably feel like you should throw some corn on the grill. But I’m here to tell you that grilling corn will only bring you pain and sorrow.
Sure, lightly charred corn on the cob seems like one of the iconic foods of summer. In your slow-mo fantasy backyard barbecue, you’re lifting them off the grill right after you remove your sizzling burgers, perfectly seared sausage links, and foil-wrapped potatoes. Do you see the flaw in this logic? Unless your grill is the size of Bobby Flay’s, you’re working with a small amount of precious grilling real estate. The question is, do you really want to spend it on corn?
But hold on, you say. There’s no way I’m giving up corn at my cookouts this summer. Well, I completely agree. You can have platters piled high with corn on the cob if you do one thing: Roast those ears in the oven.
Stay with me here. I know no one wants to turn on their oven in the summer. But there’s no earthy reason why we shouldn’t. The modern miracle of air conditioning does a perfectly good job of keeping the kitchen cool despite the heat in the oven. And the payoff is huge.
Sure, roasting your corn means you’ll miss out on those charred kernels, but when your plate is filled with plenty of other foods that have been kissed by smoke, you won’t be hankering for it on your corn. In fact, those sweet, butter-basted kernels will be a luscious summer oasis on your plate. Here’s how to do it:
How To Make Corn Salad
Corn tomato salad takes just a few ingredients, but for best results, get the freshest! Better yet, grab the corn, tomatoes, and basil from your garden or a local farmers market!
The rule of thumb to any great dish is the fewer the ingredients, the higher quality they should be!
Serve this summer corn salad with;grilled chicken or BBQ ribs and some peaches and cream for dessert!
This tangy grilled corn salad recipe is so colorful and easy to put together! Youll want to make it again and again for every occasion!
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