Cody Casey
Corn on the cob is a delicious and versatile side dish that can be cooked in several ways. While boiling is a popular method, it is not the only way to cook corn, and you can still enjoy corn on the cob without a big pot. Grilling, steaming, and microwaving are all alternative methods to boiling corn that require less water and equipment.
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What You'll Learn
Grill corn without burning it
Grilling corn without burning it is an art, and there are several ways to achieve this. Firstly, you can grill corn in its husk, which will trap moisture around the cob, making the corn kernels juicy and sweet, with a light char. To do this, peel back the husks, leaving them attached at the base, and remove the silk. Pull the husks back over the corn and soak the cobs in cold water for about 10 minutes to prevent the husks from burning. After soaking, drain and pat dry. Place the corn on a preheated grill at medium-high heat and rotate the cobs every 3 to 5 minutes until all sides are cooked, which should take about 15 minutes.
Another method is to use a barrier between the corn and the grill, such as foil. Shuck and clean the corn, then wrap it in foil before placing it on the grill. This method will prevent the corn from burning and drying out, but it may not have the same smoky flavour as grilling without a barrier.
If you want to grill corn without any barrier, you can place the shucked corn directly on the grill grates over a very hot fire. However, this method requires constant attention, as you must rotate the corn often to prevent burning.
For a smokier flavour, you can also try grilling corn directly in the embers of a campfire. Throw the whole corn in the husk onto the embers, and it will emerge blackened on the outside and perfectly steamed on the inside.
Finally, if you don't have access to a grill, you can mimic the flavour of grilled corn by roasting it in the oven. Place whole, shucked corn cobs in the oven, and the husks will char and burn slightly, lending a deep smoky flavour to the corn while keeping it moist.
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Use a skillet
If you don't have a big pot, you can always use a skillet to cook corn. This method is faster than boiling corn on the cob, and the corn comes out juicy, sweet, and delicious. Here's how to do it:
First, fill a large skillet with about an inch of water. Add the husked ears of corn in a single layer. When the water boils, cover the skillet and reduce the heat. Let the corn cook for about 3 minutes, or until the corn is bright yellow and tender. Drain the water, and season with your favourite toppings. A simple combination of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice is recommended, but you can also stick to the traditional way of serving corn with black pepper, butter, and salt.
If you're feeling creative, you can try making basil butter corn on the cob. To make the basil butter, blend softened butter with basil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. This is a great way to add some extra flavour to your corn.
Using a skillet is a convenient and quick way to cook corn on the cob, and it ensures that your corn turns out juicy and tender without the need for a large pot.
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Microwave corn
If you want to cook corn without a big pot, you can always use a microwave. This method is quick, easy, and doesn't require any washing up. It is also a healthy way to cook corn, as steaming vegetables helps to retain their essential nutrients.
To cook corn in the microwave, start by rinsing the corn in its husk. This will remove any dirt and bugs, and the water will also add some steam to the microwave. Place the corn on a microwave-safe plate or the built-in dish. You don't need to do anything to the corn at this stage, but you should adjust the timing based on how many ears of corn you're cooking. For one ear of corn, microwave it on full power for 3 minutes. For two ears of corn, microwave for 5 to 6 minutes. For three or four ears, add 2 minutes of cooking time per additional ear. For example, cook three ears for 8 minutes and four ears for 10 minutes. If you are cooking more than four ears of corn, it may be faster and easier to use the classic boiling method.
It's important to note that the specific cooking time can vary based on your microwave's power level, the wattage, the size, thickness, and freshness of the corn, and your desired level of softness. If you are unsure whether the corn is fully cooked, you can check its internal temperature, which should be around 160-170ºF/71-77ºC. You can also peel back the husk slightly to test. Always use tongs or oven gloves to remove the corn from the microwave, as it will be very hot.
Once the corn is cooked, you can season it to your liking. Some popular options include butter, salt, pepper, paprika, and cheese. You can also add flavour with herb or garlic butter, using fresh herbs and spices such as paprika, chili powder, red pepper flakes, or tajin.
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Instant Pot corn
To cook corn on the cob in an Instant Pot, start by shucking and halving the corn. Place a trivet at the bottom of the Instant Pot and pour in one cup of water. You can also add salt and/or butter cubes for extra flavour. Stack the corn on top of the trivet, with the ends of the ears resting on the bottom of the pot. You can stack the corn horizontally or vertically, with 2-3 ears in each direction.
Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 2-6 minutes, depending on how crunchy or soft you like your corn. Once done, release the pressure, open the lid, and carefully remove the corn. Serve with butter, salt, and pepper, or your desired toppings.
If you prefer to cook your corn in the husks, add an extra minute to the cooking time. For frozen corn on the cob, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
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Butter bath corn
Ingredients
- Corn on the cob
- Milk
- Butter
- Salt
- Sugar (optional)
Method
- Shuck and halve the corn cobs.
- Fill a pot halfway with water and place it on a stove over medium-high heat.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Add a cup of milk, a generous pinch of salt, and a whole stick of butter to the pot. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Carefully add the corn cobs to the pot.
- Reduce the heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook until the corn is tender (around 8 minutes).
- Remove the corn from the pot using tongs and season with more salt.
- Serve immediately with bowls of the butter bath for dipping, if desired.
Tips
- If you prefer your corn with a little kick, try adding some crushed red pepper or topping the corn with chili powder.
- To fit more corn in the pot, cut the cobs into smaller portions.
- Keep the corn warm in the butter bath until serving.
- If you don't have milk, you can still cook the corn in just water and butter.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook corn in a skillet or frying pan. Add one inch of water to the skillet and place the husked corn inside in a single layer. Bring the water to a boil, cover the skillet, and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the water, and season with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice.
Corn on the cob should be boiled for 3-5 minutes. If you are boiling more than four cobs, you may need to increase the cooking time to 7 minutes. If you are boiling the corn in milk or water with butter, simmer the corn for around 8 minutes.
Corn on the cob is done cooking when the kernels are bright yellow and tender.
