**Thank you for voting this post to Foodbuzz Top 9, Agust 18,2011**
One summer while vacationing in Mexico I tagged along with one of my Tia’s or aunt on a visit to her in-law’s farm. It was the first and only time I have ever visited a working farm. That was a while ago but two things have stayed ingrained in my memory from that trip. The first was the smells of the farm’s chicken coops, not pleasant to say the least. But the best thing I remember about that visit is the fresh grilled corn.
Outside of the farmhouse in the front field was a homemade gallon drum grill. Early in the day the señora placed a bunch of fresh corn on the cob, most likely picked from their farm, inside of the drum grill. It was closed up and just left for what seemed like an eternity. I remember asking my Tia over and over when will the corn be ready? She laughed and joked about my (lack of) patience. It wasn’t until late in the evening that we finally got to dig into the corn. If you’ve ever had fresh picked corn that is slow cooked on a grill you know how heavenly the taste is. The eternal wait was very much worth it. The corn was soft with charred marks here and there, the taste slightly sweet and yet creamy. That night we sat under the star covered night sky eating the corn right off the cob, nothing else needed.
In Mexico grilled corn on the cob is a popular snack. In fact you will see many vendors through out the cities or towns selling the corn. It can be bought just grilled and eaten so or it can also be eaten topped with any of or combination of salt, cream, cheese, lime and chile. Really it’s up to you.
Many years later one night while entertaining some friends I was preparing some corn to grill alongside our steaks. Our friend watched me in shock as I peeled off the husk and silk from the corn cob. “What are you doing?” she exclaimed, “Cleaning the corn” I said. I then went on to explain that I remove everything so I could wrap the corn in aluminum foil to place on the grill. She informed me that I was doing it all wrong. Okay. She went on to explain that in Texas they remove the corn hairs/silk but leave the husk on and grill the corn that way to add more flavor to the it. Aha! I had completely forgotten that starry night from my childhood. Of course you leave the husk on. From that day forward whenever I buy fresh corn on the cob I remember that there is only one way of grilling it, with the husk enveloping the sweet kernels.
Nowadays I do not own a charcoal grill so I’ve developed this new way of stove top grilled corn but of course you can also use this method for charcoal grilling.
- fresh corn on the cob
- butter
- salt
- pepper
- ground chile powder
- limes
- queso fresco or substitute with Feta
- Mexican sour cream or Creme fraiche
- grill pan or charcoal grill
- Preheat the grill pan or charcoal grill.
- Gently pull down the corn husk folding down but not ripping off. Remove all of the corn hairs and throughly rinse the corn.
- For simple grilled corn rub the whole corn on the cob with butter, sprinkle some salt and ground black pepper. You can also add any other spices you like. Wrap the corn cob with a few layers of the husk making sure it is covered on all sides. If need be use one of the husks to tie around and hold the enclosing husks around the corn. If choosing the Mexican optional toppings just clean and wrap the corn back up, the spices and toppings will be added at the end.
- Place the wrapped corn on a hot grill pan or charcoal grill. Grill/cook for 30 minutes or until the corn is soft. Turn the corn now and then to equally char on all sides.
- Once corn is soft peel back and discard the husk. Now you can season or spice as you like.
As you can see this time around I’ve only grilled the corn to serve with some butter, salt and pepper. Fresh corn is in season now so perhaps next time we will have it served Mexican snack style. Do you remember this recipe “Calabacitas con Mais or Zucchini with Corn”? It would be perfect to switch out the canned or frozen corn for the fresh kernels. Also if you want to save and dry the corn husk they can then be used for tamales.
Go on what are you waiting for? Grill some corn, grab a warm shall and sit under the starry night’s sky while you munch on some sweet corn.
What is your favorite way of eating corn?
Other Great Recipes This Week From Some of My Favorite Blogs:
– Summer Chillin” Pasta Salad, by The Ardent Epicure
– Pumpkin Pie Pretzels, by SPCookie Queen
– Papaya and Longan Cake with Lime Syrup,by Foodiva’s Kitchen
– Spiked Hazelnut Mocha Frappe , by She’s Cookin’
Absolutely perfection! nice job~
Thanks Claudia!
What a beautiful written post, great and helpful recipe Nancy and you photos are just so beautiful! I have some corn and need to make some since I am craving it now:)))
Thank you Sandra. So you really should make some corn now, we have to listen to our cravings:)
I made it last night and it was amazingly tasty…I used Queso fresco and ground chile powder, and never tried that combo with corn before..it was really delicious…
Oh almost forgot Congrats on top 9 again!!!
Hi Sandra, Really? I’m so glad to hear it and that you enjoyed the corn:) Oh thanks I hadn’t noticed yet:)
Great tips! I love grilled corn on the cob and have to agree that there is no better way to grill it than in its own husk. I like to leave the husk on once it’s cooked, though, and peel it back to use as a built-in holder!
Thank you Teresa! That is a great idea too, will have to try it next time.
Thank you for the helpful post. I’ve been wanting to grill corn for a while, so this will come in handy for sure. Your photos are beautiful! Thanks again!
Sure and I do hope it comes in handy.
Over the weekend I called my grandma and she asked me what i want to eat when i visit her in two weeks; the only thing I could think of was grilled corn! I love love grilled corn and she makes the best one!
Hi Roxana, Really?That is great and I hope you get to eat lots and lots of her yummy corn.
When I grill my corn, it sure doesn’t look like that! Bravo! Looks delicious!
Thank you Amy :)
Maybe i should get some corn from the korean mart and start making this!
You should try it at least once Michelle, it is really good.
Beautiful pictures! I love this post. I wish I had had it a few weeks ago when I first got my grill and wanted corn. We had no idea what we were doing…next time I will be ready!
I hope it does come in handy next time. Once we started grilling corn like this, it is the only way we craved it now.
Great job with this. I have a habit of boiling mine but think I may give grilling it a whirl. Looks so good. I think we still have another week or two before corn season is over here. Thanks for sharing.
While boiled is also good it is not nearly as good as grilled. Definitely give it a try before corn season is over:)
I have tried a version of this but my husk always breaks open and the juices (aka liquid gold) drip out. I think from reading your post the problem is that I’ve had the heat too high??
Hi Trix, Yes if the temperature is too hot that could be a problem. But you could also try tying the husk to prevent it from opening and keep the moisture or juices inside.
ohh yum! in mexico i could never resist the elotes vendors on the streets! i think many of them were boiled instead of grilled but had the same combination of chile crema lime etc. so good! even better grilled i bet.
Hi Anna, Yes you will also find some vendors with boiled corn. Either way those elotes with crema, lime and cheese are so good!
Beautiful grilled corn Nancy!
We grilled corn last night, this time of year I try to grill fresh corn a few times a week because we love it so much! I enjoyed your story and thanks for sharing your technique for grilling corn and your lovely photos;-)
Hi Patty, Really? That is great! Thank you for the sweet words.
I admit I have googled “how to grill corn on the cob” before. haha! Thank you so much for the tips. Fantastic! Buzzed!
Hi Kate, There is no shame in that:) Thank you!
Nancy….Congrats Today’s Top 9 …great write out and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing how to grill a corn on the cob :)
Hi Elin, Thank you so much:)
Your photos…wow…the food looks so real, like I can really pick it off the screen. Gorgeous!!
Congrats on top 9!!
Hi Kate, Thank you :)
yummy looking corn on the cob looks wonderful
Thank you!
This looks so delicious! I have never made corn this way but have often wondered how to do it. We are coming into summer so I will try it on the BBQ.
Thank you Julie! I’m sure you’ll love it.
This looks just delicious! I love grilled corn….and I grill just about everything!
Thank you Ann!
This is such a great post/article…I adore grilled corn and love that you leave the husks on! Gorgeously grilled and the stove top is a smart alternative when a grill is not available :)
P.S. They have a large grill pit at the Avila Barn and they grill corn that you can grab on your way in or out :) We do have to go together someday :)
Hugs
Hi Alisha, Thank you:) Really? Oh we simply must go there together one day!
Great post and Lovely pictures!!! Perfectly grilled corns……… Love it.
Thank you.
Always wanted to try this but Never dared; must try this.
Rita
Loved your pics Nancy and corn cob looks tempting. Also is the YBR on this month?