Steaming Corn: The Husk Method

Corn on the cob is a delicious and healthy dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. One popular method is steaming, which is considered to be one of the easiest and quickest ways to cook corn while retaining its nutrients and flavour. Steaming corn on the cob can be done with or without a steamer, and it can also be steamed in the microwave or oven. This guide will provide an overview of how to steam corn on the cob with husk steam, highlighting the key steps and considerations for this cooking technique.

How to steam corn in the microwave

Steaming corn in the microwave is a quick and easy way to cook corn on the cob. This method keeps the corn juicy and full of flavour, without the need for boiling or grilling.

Step 1: Prepare the Corn

Firstly, you will need to decide whether to cook the corn with or without the husk. Cooking with the husk on is less messy and means you don't need to worry about removing the silk. However, some people prefer to remove the husk and silk first.

If you are cooking with the husk on, give the corn a quick rinse under the tap and wrap it in a damp paper towel. If you are cooking without the husk, you will need to remove the silk before wrapping the corn in a damp paper towel.

Step 2: Microwave

Place the corn on a microwave-safe plate or dish and cook on full power. The cooking time will depend on the number of corn cobs and the power of your microwave. As a general rule, allow 3-4 minutes for one cob, 5-6 minutes for two cobs, and an additional 2 minutes per cob for three or four cobs.

Step 3: Check the Corn

Remove the corn from the microwave using tongs or an oven glove, as it will be very hot. You can check if the corn is cooked by peeling back the husk or measuring the internal temperature, which should be around 160-170ºF/71-77ºC. If the corn is not fully cooked, return it to the microwave and cook in 30-second increments until done.

Step 4: Remove the Husk and Serve

Once the corn is cooked, cut off the stem about half an inch from the end. Then, slide the corn out of the husk and serve. You can top the corn with butter, salt, and pepper, or enjoy it plain.

Tips:

• The cooking time may vary depending on the size and freshness of the corn, as well as the power of your microwave. It is best to start with a lower cooking time and adjust as needed.
• For the best flavour, use fresh corn, preferably organic.
• This method works best for smaller amounts of corn (up to 4 cobs).
• You can also cook frozen corn in the microwave, but increase the cooking time by about a minute per cob.

How to steam corn on the stovetop

Ingredients:

• Corn on the cob
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Pepper (optional)

Utensils:

• A generously-sized pot
• A pair of tongs
• A steamer basket (optional)
• A large plate (optional)
• A vegetable steamer (optional)
• A vegetable brush (optional)

Method:

• Husk the corn and remove the silk. Depending on the size of your steamer basket, you may need to cut the ears of corn in half so they are short enough to fit.
• Add 2 inches of water to a large pot. If you have a steamer basket, insert it into the pot, making sure the water is not touching the bottom. If you don't have a steamer basket, place a large plate or a vegetable steamer at the bottom of the pot.
• Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• When the water begins to boil, place the corn into the steamer basket or directly onto the plate/vegetable steamer inside the pot, using a pair of tongs.
• Cover the pot and let the corn steam for 4-6 minutes, depending on how soft you like your corn. For softer corn, steam for 7 minutes. For the softest corn, steam for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the water levels and top off as needed.
• Turn off the burner and carefully remove the corn from the pot with tongs. Serve as is or with butter, salt, and pepper.

How to grill corn in the husk

Grilling corn in the husk is a tasty way to serve up sweet corn. The husk protects the corn from burning on the grill, making grilling corn in the husk easier than grilling without it. Here is a step-by-step guide to grilling corn in the husk:

Step 1: Prepare the Corn

When choosing corn, look for bright green husks and avoid those that are brown, bruised, or dried out. The silk of fresh corn will be lighter in colour, while older corn silk will be brown or black and dried out. Hold each ear of corn to find the heavier ones, which tend to be juicier.

Step 2: Shuck the Corn

The easiest way to shuck corn is to peel off the husks starting at the top of the ear of corn. Keep peeling back the inner leaves until you can see the corn inside. While gripping the bottom of the corn cob with one hand, use your other hand to grab the tops of the leaves with the tassel. Pull down forcefully in one motion. Tear off the husks and break off any extra stem at the bottom.

Step 3: Clean the Corn

Under running water, use a vegetable brush to brush off any leftover strands of corn silk. Use your fingers to remove any remaining strands.

Step 4: Grill the Corn

Place the corn in its husk directly on the grill. Turn the corn occasionally, grilling for a total of 15 minutes.

Step 5: Remove the Husk

There are two ways to remove the husk from grilled corn:

• Cut off the bottom end of the corn and slide the husk off. Grab the husk by the top, pull, and it will slide off in one piece.
• Remove the husk as usual, by peeling it off from the top and throwing it away. The cooked husk will come off easily and won't make a mess.

Tips:

• Don't remove the husk before grilling, as this will speed up the cooking process and help maintain a tender texture.
• When grilling corn, avoid turning up the heat. Keep the flames on low-medium for gas grills, and use the second tier of grates or a grill topper for charcoal grills to keep the corn away from direct heat and prevent the husk from catching fire.
• Don't cool the corn under running water. Instead, let it cool naturally to avoid ending up with soggy corn.
• Microwaving corn is another easy option. Simply place the corn (still in the husk) in the microwave and cook on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Allow the corn to cool before removing the husks and serving.

How to boil corn in the husk

Cooking corn while still in the husk is an easy method that prevents the need for messy prep beforehand. The corn slides right out of the husk once cooked, and you avoid the silk strands getting stuck or making a mess. Corn in the husk is also cheaper and fresher than pre-husked corn.

Step-by-step guide to boiling corn in the husk:

First, bring a pot of water to a boil. You will need enough water to cover the corn cobs once they are in the pot.

Next, place the corn in the husk directly into the boiling water. You can cook as many cobs as will fit in your pot, but be sure to fully cover them with water.

Then, boil the corn for approximately 10 minutes. You may need to add more water to the pot during this time to ensure the corn remains fully submerged.

After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and carefully remove the corn from the pot with tongs. Be aware that the corn will be very hot, so allow it to cool slightly before handling.

Finally, you can remove the husk by cutting off the bottom end of the corn and sliding the husk off. Alternatively, you can simply peel the husk off from the top, and it should come away easily.

Your corn is now ready to serve with butter, salt, and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice. Enjoy!

How to roast corn in the husk in the oven

Roasting corn in the oven is a simple and mess-free way to cook corn on the cob, and it tastes great too! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast corn in the husk in the oven.

Step 1: Prepare the corn

Leave the corn on the cob with its husks and silks attached. Using a knife or scissors, cut off any excess silk from each ear of corn. Also, remove any loose husks.

Step 2: Preheat the oven

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 350-400°F.

Step 3: Place the corn in the oven

Arrange the corn on the oven rack lengthwise, spaced about 1 inch apart. If you are roasting a large batch, you can place the corn directly on the oven grates, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Step 4: Roast the corn

Roast the corn for around 30 minutes. For a more well-done result, you can increase the temperature to 400°F and roast for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Check for doneness

Remove the corn from the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes. Wrap a kitchen towel around the base of a corn cob to hold it and pull back the husks just enough to check if the corn is ready. The kernels should be swollen and shiny, with a few browned ones too.

Step 6: Remove the husks and serve

After the corn has cooled down, pull back the husks and silks at the same time. They should come off easily. Your roasted corn is now ready to be enjoyed! You can eat it plain, or add some butter and seasoning for extra flavour.

Frequently asked questions