Brian in the Kitchen Recipes
BRIAN IN THE KITCHEN brought to you by Stittsworth Meats
May 27 2019
Grilled Veggies - Corn on the Cob Three Ways
Method 1: In the Husk
How to do it: Place corn in the husk, directly on top of hot coals, and cook, turning occasionally, until it is steamed through to the center (you can peek and rewrap the corn to check if you need to), about 15 minutes. The corn can also be grilled in the husk on a rack above the coals. The outside should be completely black, but the interior should be steamed and moist. Let the corn cool slightly, pull back the husk and silk, roll in flavored or plain butter if desired, and serve.
Advantages: It's super, super easy on the prep. You can simply buy ears of corn and haul them out to the backyard or campfire, no other work required. It also produces flavorful corn with lightly grassy notes from the husk.
Disadvantages: It can be a little messy to eat (the blackened husk gets on your hands), and it can sometimes be difficult to gauge, timing-wise, whether or not the corn inside is completely cooked. This method also will not produce a charred or grilled flavor.
Method 2: Wrapped in Foil
It's very similar in process to the in-the-husk method, but there are a few differences here and there in how the corn ends up.
How to do it: Shuck corn and discard silk and husk. Wrap the corn in heavy-duty aluminum foil, with or without a flavored butter or oil inside. Grill directly on hot coals, or on top of a grate set over the coals, turning occasionally, until the corn is fully cooked, about 15 minutes.
Advantages: Very easy to serve—just pull the corn off, let it rest, and serve. The foil will also keep the corn hot for a long time, making this a good method to use for large gatherings or buffet-style service. As with in-the-husk corn, flavored butter inside the package is a neat trick, but doesn't produce markedly superior results to simply coating the corn in flavored butter after cooking.
Disadvantages: It's heavy on prep, requiring shucking, cleaning, and rewrapping.
Method 3: Grilling Naked
How to do it: Shuck and clean corn. Don't worry about getting every last stray piece of silk—they'll burn away on the grill anyway. Do not be tempted to brine your corn. Place the corn directly over a very hot fire, and grill, turning occasionally, until it's charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes total. Serve immediately with flavored or plain butter and salt.
Advantages: It's quick and easy, it lets you keep an eye on the corn as it grills, and it produces plenty of smoky, charred, grilled flavor.
Disadvantages: The corn won't be quite as juicy as corn steamed in the husk or in foil.