Everyone enjoys corn. Regardless of how it is cooked, corn on the cob is one of the best go-to snacks and the perfect side dish for steak. Corn is also cheap, affordable, and very healthy. It's simple and easy to buy corn from the market, and you can even visit your local farmers market if you want to get a whole bunch of it.
How will I know if a corn cob is fresh?
When you buy corn from the market, you cannot always peel off the corn husk to check if the corn kernels look fresh and plump. Other markets don't allow customers to peel off the husk for freshness check. Thus, here are other tips that you can do to know if corn is fresh without peeling off the husk.
- Feel the corn through its husk. If the corn feels firm in your hands, that's when you know you have the best kind of corn. Avoid buying corn that is soft or mushy because it indicates that it has been harvested for a long time. An ear of firm corn means the kernels are intact and don't contain any empty spots.
- It must have a green and tight husk. If you see an ear of corn that is brown and looks dried out, it only means that the corn is old. Also, check the corn if there are holes, especially on the top, because worms have entered the corn.
- The tassels of the corn should be sticking out and should be color brown or gold. The strands should also be sticky and not dry.
How to Properly Grill Corn
Grilled corn is the perfect summer afternoon treat. Everyone loves a freshly grilled corn, especially when it's paired with steak or barbeque. Grilled corn hits differently than steamed corn because it has a hint of smokiness that blends well with the corn's sweetness.
Grilling Corn With the Husks
It's accessible to grill corn; however, to achieve the perfect grilled corn, you need to follow these steps. First, preheat your grill to medium-high. The corn does not need to be seasoned--it is best to pop it directly to the fire. Fresh corn has enough moisture in it, and it already has good flavor. This moisture also helps the grill avoid from flaming up.
Grilling Corn Without the Husks
You can grill your corn with or without the husks. If you decide to grill your corn without the husks, expect that you will taste a lovely flavor and color once it's cooked. To grill naked corn, take off the husks and the silk strands. Make sure the corn cob is clean as well. Place the corn directly to the grill and cook for about 10 minutes. The cob should also be turned every 3 to 4 minutes.
Grilling Corn in Aluminum Foil
If you don't want to grill your corn naked, but you don't want to keep the husk and silk strands as well, you can wrap the corn in foil. However, when cooking corn with foil, you will not have the same charred flavor compared to when you cook it directly on the grill. Thus, you need to add seasonings such as butter or your preferred spices for the corn to taste delicious. Wrap the corn in foil, add the seasonings, and cook for about 15 minutes. Turn the cobs every 3 minutes.
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