Why is corn on the beach so delicious? The answer is simple. First of all, it is softer and crunchier. Second, the cooking time is perfect. Also, the addition of butter and salt at the end plays an important role.
In beach countries, such as Brazil, corn boiled on the beach is also smoked with charcoal. If you have a grill, you can also cook corn this way.
Now let’s see how to make corn like on the beach step by step.
How to cook corn?
There are several ways to cook corn. Traditionally on the beach, the cob is boiled first and served with the leaves, butter and salt. In turn, in some European countries it is served in shopping centers and cinemas. In this case, frozen corn cobs are used.
Using an industrial machine to cook corn is very similar to a double pot, in this case there is no direct contact with the water and the corn is surrounded by hot steam. This allows you to cook more juicy and crisp corn at home.
At the same time, the main thing in the cooking process is to choose the right corn – natural ears with green leaves are the best. By the color of the leaves, you can easily determine if the product is fresh. A light green color indicates freshness.
How to make corn like on the beach? – Step by step recipe
Cooking corn is a quick and easy process. To make it perfect like on the beach you must measure the cooking time. When it is ready you must add butter, salt and serve it at the moment.
Here’s how to make beach corn step by step:
1. Buy a fresh ear
The fresher the ears, the better the boiled corn will be. Before buying, focus on the color of the leaves.
2. Before cooking – soak
Pre-soaking the corn in cold water for half an hour will help make the kernels softer. This method is ideal for mature or frozen corn. The young cobs are boiled for only a few minutes, so there is no need to soak them.
3. Prepare the cob for cooking
If you bought a corn on the cob, separate them carefully without breaking the kernels, rinse and remove coarse fibers before cooking. The presence of leaves will preserve the natural shape, just like the corn on the beach.
For proper cooking, all ears of corn should be the same size, this will allow you to reach readiness at the same time. Overgrown corn, if it doesn’t fit in the pan, can be cut in half.
4. Put the corn in boiling water
Once in the water, the corn cooks in about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the variety and the size of the cob. Once you’ve tried one, trust your previous experience.
5. Drain the water a little
Another secret to preparing a delicious corn like on the beach is the evaporation of the water. After boiling let the water drain, or shake it a little for 2-3 minutes.
6. Butter and salt to taste.
Corn is traditionally served with butter or margarine and salt. At home, you can also experiment with other ingredients like coconut oil. Peel the cob of leaves, add salt and serve.
Caloric content and nutritional value
A boiled corn on the cob has a calorie content of about 80-100 kcal, similar to that of an apple. Using butter or margarine can add up to 50-70 kcal more.
Regarding vitamins and minerals, 100 g of corn kernels provide 32% of the daily intake of magnesium, 31% of vitamin B6, 24% of magnesia, 22% of selenium and 20% of phosphorus.
// Nutritional value of 100 g of corn:
- Calories – 365 kcal
- Carbohydrates – 74.3 g
- Vegetable fiber – 7.3 g
- Proteins – 9.4 g
- Fat – 4.7 g
- Omega-6 – 2.1 g
Other ways to cook corn at home
Corn can come in the form of an ear or in grains, and it is a food that can be cooked in many different dishes. Fresh corn, as described above, can be boiled whole. It can also be cooked in the microwave; for this, wrap the cob in leaves with a damp paper towel and put for 5-8 minutes.
Frozen corn is perfect for salads, and you can prepare the kernels in a slow cooker. Also, corn goes well with many spices and aromatic herbs. For example, in India it is served with curry (a traditional species made from turmeric), as well as with lemon.
Among other things, if you like the taste of corn, you will also like cornmeal. The advantage of this flour is that it is gluten-free. So you can make vegan homemade nachos suitable for celiacs. An excellent combination with this dish is the Mexican guacamole sauce.
SUMMARY
To cook the corn quickly and richly, like on the beach, you should choose a young and fresh ear, separate the leaves, and cook it whole for about 10-15 minutes. Once soon you should drain the water a little, add butter and salt.
Additionally, corn can be steamed, in a slow cooker, in the microwave, and even smoked on a grill with aluminum foil.
