- Properly called MAIZE
- Buying corn:
- Husk should be bright and moist
- The cut end should also be bright and moist
- Tassle should be sticky and brown, not matted and black which indicates mature ear that is not as sweet
- Inside, the kernels should be tight and all the way up to the top
- Poke with your fingernail and they should burst
- Wrap immediately in plastic and store in the coldest part of your fridge. Even then, don’t keep for longer than three days
- IF YOU MUST shuck the ears and put into a large bowl of water. Add 1 drop of lemon juice and 2 drops of Chlorox bleach. Soak 15 minutes. Stored as in Step 6, this will keep for up to 10 days
- Be sure to pick good-quality sweet corn. The silk on the corn should be pale in color and shouldn’t look dried out.
- Eat corn AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after it has been picked.
- You’re welcome to use either unsalted or salted butter to make the flavored butters.
- If you wind up with leftover grilled corn, make a nice corn salad
- Strip the husk down but don’t detach it.
- Separate the husk into three sections, then braid it
- Tie the last two strands to lock in the braid
- Drizzle with canola and sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Put on a grill leaving the “handle” off the heat
- Cook until the kernels start to blacken
Optional Dipping and Slathering Sauces
#1 • Butter
#2 • 1/2 C mayo • 1/2 C sour cream • 2 TBL kimchi or pickle brine • 1 TBL soy or Worchestershire
#3 • 1/2 stick butter • 1 clove minced garlic • 1/4 C Parmesan cheese
#4 • 1/2 stick butter • 1/2 tsp each oregano, parsley, garlic
#5 • 1/2 stick butter • 1/4 tsp cayenne • zest from one lime • 1/2 tsp honey
#6 • 1/2 stick butter • chives and dill
#7 • 1/2 stick butter • oregano, basil, garlic