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Best Ever Way to Prepare Corn on the Cob

corn

 Who doesn’t love summer corn on the cob? Local is always best because you want it as fresh from the farm as possible. If you can get corn picked in the morning for dinner tonight you’ll see what I mean. NEVER shuck your corn ahead of time. Once those kernels are exposed to the air the sugar starts converting to starch. Shuck just before cooking for the sweetest corn.

Here’s all you need:

  1. Corn, shucked- as many ears as you’d like, I always make extra because I use the leftover corn* for all kinds of things.
  2. Large pot of boiling, salted water
  3. When water comes to a boil, turn off heat, add 1TBL of milk (any type of milk works, as long at it is full lactose milk, the lactose (milk sugar)in the milk will make the corn taste even sweeter)
  4. Add the corn to the water and let sit until you are ready to eat. At least five minutes, and up to 15
    This method prevents the corn from over-cooking and holds it hot for quite a while

Buying corn- When I lived in upstate NY a farmer told me this about buying corn, and I have stuck to it faithfully:
Only buy corn on the day you plan to consume it, and of course, farm fresh is best.
DO NOT peel back the husk to check the corn! Once you expose the corn to the air the sugars start converting to starch, reducing the naturally sweet flavor. If you want to make sure the cob is full, you can feel it through the husk- I have been doing this for years, and rarely get a bad ear.
Shuck the corn as close to cooking as possible.

*I remove the corn from the cob with a cool utensil called a corn zipper from Khun Rikon

My favorite use for leftover corn is corn fritters. Corn chowder or scrambled eggs are great- try pan roasting the corn until it caramelizes, before adding the eggs
They are great in pancakes
Make a salad with corn, halved grape tomatoes, scallions, a bit of mayo and salt and pepper

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  • July 17, 2014 - 5:38 am

    Real Creamed Corn » Chefs Last Diet - […] My love for summer corn is serious, so I find all kinds of ways to use it beyond enjoying a buttery ear; corn pancakes and fritters, corn eggs, corn and tomato salad,  corn chowder, and creamed […]ReplyCancel

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