Discover the best way to cook corn on the cob for a simple yet delightful sweet corn recipe. From preparation to serving, savor the essence of summer with this timeless method for boiling corn on the cob.
My fondness for seasonal cooking may stem from my childhood memories of devouring corn on the cob. During the summer, my mother would frequently serve boiled sweet corn for dinner, which she would purchase from a nearby farm stand, ensuring its freshness and sweetness. I still salivate at the thought of the succulent, buttery, and salted corn kernels.
Introduction to Cooking Corn on the Cob
I particularly enjoy this method because it is the best way to cook corn on the cob, resulting in the sweetest and juiciest corn. This corn-on-the-cob recipe is straightforward, with no special tips or tricks, but I must mention that the fresher the corn, the better the final product.
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How to Make Corn on the Cob
My approach for how to cook corn on the cob is uncomplicated. You only need one ingredient: fresh sweet corn. You can cook as many ears as you want as long as your pot is large enough to submerge them in the boiling water fully.
Preparation
Start by removing the husks and silks from the fresh corn. Then, bring a large pot of water to a boil. For an extra sweetness, try boiling corn on the cob with sugar by adding a few tablespoons to the water and some salt.
Cooking
Add the corn and cook it uncovered until the kernels are tender and golden. The cooking time for how long to boil corn on the cob may vary depending on the amount of corn and your desired doneness and corn texture. I usually cook it for 3-5 minutes, which is usually when the water returns to a boil, to get crisp yet tender corn. If the corn is cooked before the rest of the meal, I turn off the stove and leave it in the hot, sweet water to keep warm until serving.
Serving
Finally, serve! Transfer the best corn on the cob to a serving platter and enjoy it with butter, salt, and pepper or your preferred corn toppings.
Suggestions for Serving Boiled Corn on the Cob
While I enjoy adding grilled corn to tacos and salads, I often prefer to eat boiled corn directly off the cob. The simplest way to enjoy it is with milk, butter, salt, and pepper, but endless possibilities exist. You can use compound butter, sauces like chipotle or vegan ranch, fresh herbs, spices like smoked paprika or chili powder, or make a Mexican-style corn on the cob by brushing it with adobo sauce and topping it with crumbled Cotija cheese.
Boiled sweet corn also adds great to summer recipes like corn salad, stuffed peppers, chowder, veggie burgers, or black bean burgers. You can also serve it as a summer side dish with your favorite main course or a fresh vegetable salad. Any leftover corn can be cut off the cob and used in other recipes or frozen for later. With so many delicious serving suggestions, you’ll want to make this perfect sweet corn recipe all season long to savor that peak corn flavor! Enjoy!
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