Steaming Sweet Corn: Pressure Cooker Style

Corn on the cob is a delicious treat, and pressure cooking is a great way to prepare it. It's faster than boiling and results in more flavourful corn. You can pressure cook corn with or without the husk, and you can also cut the corn in half to fit more in the pressure cooker. The basic method involves adding water to the pressure cooker, placing the corn inside, and cooking for 1-5 minutes, depending on how soft you like your corn. You can then dress the corn with butter, salt, pepper, or any other toppings you like.

How to pick the best corn for steaming

When choosing corn to steam, it's best to opt for fresh corn on the cob. Here are some tips to help you select the best corn:

• Seasonality: Corn is typically in season during the summer. Avoid buying corn out of season, as it won't be as sweet and juicy.
• Husk: Look for a bright green husk that is tightly wrapped around the cob. Avoid corn with dry, brown, or yellow husks, and make sure it's not limp or overly damaged.
• Corn Silk: The corn silk, or the "tassels," should be light golden pale, soft, moist, and slightly sticky. Avoid corn with dry or black silk, as this indicates that the corn is old.
• Kernels: Choose corn with bright, plump, milky kernels that are tightly arranged in rows.
• Weight: A good cob of corn should feel heavy for its size, indicating that it's full of juice and sap. Light-feeling cobs have likely started to go starchy.
• Stems: Choose corn with moist stems. If the stem is already brown, the corn is likely not fresh.

Remember, it's best to leave the husks on until just before cooking to maintain freshness.

How to prepare the corn for steaming

Preparing the corn for steaming is simple and fuss-free.

First, you'll want to select the freshest corn possible. Look for corn with a bright green, tightly-wrapped husk, and soft, moist corn silk. The corn should feel solid and plump, with tightly-arranged kernels.

When you're ready to cook, start by removing the husks and silk from the corn. You can snap the corn in half to fit it into your pressure cooker, but this isn't necessary if your corn is a suitable size for your cooker.

If your corn is not fresh, you may need to increase the cooking time to ensure it is properly steamed.

How to set up the pressure cooker

To set up your pressure cooker for steaming corn, follow these steps:

Firstly, you will need to prepare your corn cobs. Remove the husks and silks from the corn. You can either cut off the ends of the corn or leave them on, depending on your preference. If the corn cob is too tall to fit in your pressure cooker, you can snap it in half and place both ends into the cooker. You can cook as many ears of corn as will fit in your pressure cooker, but ensure that you do not crowd them and leave some space between them for the steam to circulate.

Next, pour water into the base of your pressure cooker. The amount of water required may vary depending on the size of your cooker and the number of corn cobs you are cooking. As a general guideline, use 1 cup of water for every 4 ears of corn. Place a trivet or steamer basket inside the pressure cooker, and arrange the corn cobs on top. If you are using a steamer basket, you can place the corn vertically or diagonally. If you are stacking the corn, try to leave some space between the cobs to ensure even cooking.

Once your corn is prepared and placed in the pressure cooker, it's time to start cooking. Close and lock the lid of your pressure cooker. If you are using an electric pressure cooker, set it to cook at high pressure for 2 minutes. For stovetop pressure cookers, turn the heat to high. Once the cooker reaches high pressure, lower the heat to maintain the pressure and start timing for 1 minute of cooking.

When the cooking time is up, carefully release the pressure through the valve and open the lid. Your perfectly steamed corn is now ready to be served! You can dress it with butter, salt, pepper, or your favourite seasonings and sauces. Enjoy!

How to steam the corn

How to Steam Corn in a Pressure Cooker

Preparation

Before you begin, you will need to decide whether you want to cook the corn with or without the husk. Some recipes suggest that cooking corn in the husk saves time and reduces mess, as the husk and silk come off more easily after cooking. However, other recipes recommend removing the husk and silk first, as this can help the corn cook more evenly.

If you are cooking without the husk, you will need to shuck the corn and remove the silk. If you are cooking with the husk, cut off the top and bottom of the corn and remove two to three layers of the husk.

Cooking

Add water to the pressure cooker. The amount of water you need will depend on the size of your pressure cooker and the number of corn cobs you are cooking. Most recipes suggest adding one or two cups of water to the cooker.

Place a trivet or steamer basket in the pressure cooker, and then add the corn. If you are cooking without the husk, you can stand the corn up on the trivet or stack the corn on top of each other. If you are cooking with the husk, you can stand the corn up or lay it diagonally.

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and turn the valve to the sealed position.

Timing

The cooking time will depend on how soft you like your corn, how fresh the corn is, and how many corn cobs you are cooking. Most recipes suggest cooking the corn for one to five minutes at high pressure.

If you are cooking with the husk, you may need to increase the cooking time to around five minutes. For frozen corn, one source recommends cooking for four minutes at high pressure.

Serving

Once the corn is cooked, you can serve it with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favourite seasonings and sauces.

Some recipes suggest using the residual heat of the pressure cooker to melt butter to pour over the corn. Alternatively, you can return the corn to the pressure cooker with butter, salt, and pepper, and use the warm setting to keep the corn hot.

How to serve the corn

Once you've steamed your corn in the pressure cooker, it's time to serve it! Here are some tips to help you serve the corn perfectly:

Timing is Everything

If you're serving corn as a side dish, it's best to time it so that it's ready just as your guests are sitting down to eat. Corn is best served hot and fresh, so it's not ideal to let it sit for too long before serving. You can keep the corn warm by leaving it in the closed pressure cooker (after releasing the pressure) until you're ready to serve.

Presentation is Key

When serving corn on the cob, it's a good idea to provide some sort of dish or tray to catch any butter or seasoning that may drip off. You can use a simple plate or platter, or get creative with a fun, themed serving dish. If you're serving corn that has been cut into halves or thirds, you can arrange them neatly on a platter or stack them into a pyramid shape for a more eye-catching presentation.

Butter, Seasonings, and Toppings

Butter, salt, and pepper are classic condiments for corn on the cob, and for good reason—they enhance the sweetness of the corn and add a savoury touch. You can offer these condiments on the side or melt the butter and brush it on the corn before serving. If you want to get creative, there are endless possibilities for corn toppings and seasonings. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Olive oil, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice
• Cheddar cheese and bacon
• Mexican Street Corn (Elotes): crema mexicana, queso fresco, cilantro, and lime
• Basil-Parmesan Corn: mix softened butter with chopped fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese, then spread on the corn
• Cajun-Style Corn: sauté minced onion and garlic in vegetable oil or butter, add Cajun seasoning, and brush on the corn

For a Heartier Dish

If you want to make corn the star of the meal, you can serve it with a variety of toppings and sides to create a more substantial dish. Here are some ideas:

• Offer a variety of toppings and condiments, such as sour cream, cheese, chopped herbs, green onions, hot sauce, or crumbled bacon, and let your guests create their own custom corn creations.
• Serve corn as a side dish with grilled meats, such as BBQ ribs, beef brisket, or burgers.
• Create a corn-themed meal with dishes like corn chowder, cornbread, or corn salad.

Frequently asked questions