Share
Whether it's a summer backyard barbeque party or a long camping trip out of the city, corn remains a staple when it comes to cooking outdoors. The small golden kernels packed with sweet and juicy flavour become immensely good when cooked on an open fire or coal.
One of the best ways to eat corn is by roasting the cob and eating it right away. And if you want to elevate this experience, experimenting with various seasonings and methods can make corn even more delightful. Brush it with melted butter, garlic, and herbs before grilling, sprinkle them with chilli powder and lime juice for a zesty twist, or add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of smoked paprika for a savoury, smoky flavour, there are so many things you can do.
Apart from just eating it from the cobs, you can add the flavoured kernels to salads, stir-fries, salsas and topping for tacos. The uses never seem to end. With so many possibilities, corn becomes more than just a side dish for the meal. Check out what you can make with corn for the great summer outdoors.
1) Spicy Corn on the Cob
Image Credit: Freepik
When corn is on the menu, grilled corn on the cob becomes quintessential. Bring a twist to classic corn on the cob with a spicy butter glaze and brush it well to smear every gaps of corn with flavour. As the corn cooks on fire, the flavours get intense and the contrast of sweet and spicy makes it utterly delicious.
2) Grilled Corn Ribs
Slicing the corn cobs lengthwise into quarters or thirds, flavouring it with a spice mix of olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, and pan frying it on fire is how you make this crowd-pleasing appetiser. As the corn slices cook, they wilt inwards, giving a slight curve to the outer layer which separates the kernels beautifully.
3) Kale Corn Pakoras
Image Credit: Freepik
Kale corn pakoras are made by mixing up kale and corn kernels in a warming flour batter along with seasonings, then frying the batter-covered kale and corn in hot oil. As the fritters get crispy golden, the flavours start to emerge and create a delightful appetiser for the party.
4) Grilled Cheese with Corn
Grilled cheese sandwich, when mixed with sweet corn kernels, gives a flavorful bite of sweet and savoury flavours. The creaminess of cheese and tender kernels melds harmoniously. It gets even better with the addition of spices and seasonings.
5) Corn Husk–Grilled Goat Cheese with Corn Relish and Honey
Corn husk can be a fantastic vessel to hold up several vegetable mixes and stir-fries, and can be cooked directly on open fire. It is a better option than using foil packets, as the natural flavour of husk is also infused. Make a mixture of goat cheese, corn kernels, black pepper, salt, scallions, fresh herbs and seasonings, then fill it in the packets made of corn husk and grill until well cooked.
6) Fresh Corn Tamales
Image Credit: Freepik
Corn husk is also famously used to make tamales. The filling usually contains shredded meat (such as chicken, or pork), cheese and peppers, or vegetarian options like beans and vegetables. To assemble a tamale, spread a thin layer of masa dough onto a soaked corn husk, leaving a border around the edges. Then add a spoonful of the filling down the centre of the masa dough. Then enclose the husk by folding and steaming it for about 1 to 1.5 hours until the masa dough is firm and cooked through.
