Steven Raichlen's Grilled Corn
A bitter controversy surrounds the best way to grill corn. At the heart of the debate is this: Does corn taste better grilled with the husk or without?
Advocates of the former argue that the husk protects the delicate kernels from the harsh heat. Proponents of the huskless school (of which I'm a member) point out that corn steams rather than grills in the husk and that the husk blocks out that wonderful live-fire flavor. If you follow my huskless technique, which I use nightly in corn season, I'm ready to bet it will make you a convert--if you aren't already.
Serves 2 to 4
4 ears sweet corn in their husks
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
Coarse salt and black pepper
You'll also need: Butcher’s string
1. Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to high.
2. Fashion the husk of each ear of corn into a handle, tying back the husks with butcher's string, and remove the corn silk.
3. Place the butter, parsley, and garlic in a mixing bowl and whisk or beat until smooth and creamy.
4. When ready to cook, lightly brush each ear of corn with a little of the garlic-parsley butter and arrange on the hot grate, positioning the ears in such a way that the husks are away from the fire. Grill the corn until the kernels are handsomely browned all over, 8 to 12 minutes in all, turning as needed, brushing with the remaining butter, and seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Remove the corn from the grill and serve at once.
Variations: Dill, basil, or tarragon all make tasty alternatives to the parsley in the butter. Grilled corn kernels make a delectable addition to salsas and salads. Lay the ears on their side and cut the kernels off the cob with broad lengthwise strokes of a knife.
Excerpted from 'The Barbecue Bible'
Read more of Steven Raichlen's tips at his Expert Grilling Guide.
A bitter controversy surrounds the best way to grill corn. At the heart of the debate is this: Does corn taste better grilled with the husk or without?
Serves 2 to 4
4 ears sweet corn in their husks
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
Coarse salt and black pepper
You'll also need: Butcher’s string
1. Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to high.
2. Fashion the husk of each ear of corn into a handle, tying back the husks with butcher's string, and remove the corn silk.
3. Place the butter, parsley, and garlic in a mixing bowl and whisk or beat until smooth and creamy.
4. When ready to cook, lightly brush each ear of corn with a little of the garlic-parsley butter and arrange on the hot grate, positioning the ears in such a way that the husks are away from the fire. Grill the corn until the kernels are handsomely browned all over, 8 to 12 minutes in all, turning as needed, brushing with the remaining butter, and seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Remove the corn from the grill and serve at once.
Variations: Dill, basil, or tarragon all make tasty alternatives to the parsley in the butter. Grilled corn kernels make a delectable addition to salsas and salads. Lay the ears on their side and cut the kernels off the cob with broad lengthwise strokes of a knife.
Excerpted from 'The Barbecue Bible'
Read more of Steven Raichlen's tips at his Expert Grilling Guide.
