We have no grill and not much patience for watching big stock pots of water boil, which is why this is one of our favorite tricks for cooking corn. The key is to leave on the husks while you nuke them...
Microwave cooking has enjoyed a little high-class renaissance, thanks to Mark Bittman, but we heard about cooking corn this way a long, long time ago.
For one medium to large ear, we'd start with three minutes on high. For two ears, try four minutes. The husks trap the heat and steam the corn, which means peeling them back as soon as the corn comes out of the microwave is hot, dangerous work. Let them sit for a few minutes, then grab them with a kitchen towel and shuck carefully.
We find our corn is just as sweet and tender as when we boil it, and the silks seem to come off more easily once they're steamed. It's also a good way to cook just one ear without having to dirty a pot.
Anyone else do this? How do you usually cook corn?
Related: Mystery Gadget: What's This Yellow Plastic Squeezer-Thing?
(Image: Flickr member Akash k, licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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We've been advocating this all summer. Sometimes, you just don't want to fire up the grill.
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I use my biggest skillet with about half an inch of water in the bottom and steam the ears, no husks. It's easier for me than fishing my microwave out from under the laundry and paint cans.
The easiest way to make corn in the micro is to wrap it in wax paper and twist the ends so it looks like a big piece of candy. Its easier (and less dangerous) than trying to get the hot husk off the corn. Cooking time is two to three minutes
Yes! I just started doing this a few weeks ago after a friend told me to try it. Brilliant! I also thought that the silks were waaaay easier to get off after steaming the corn than husking it while raw.
I microwave for just two minutes and then immediately peel back the husk, tying it in a knot to make a handle.
Ok, this is rocking my world. I have a bag full of corn in my fridge right now that I've been dreading to cook because I didn't want to boil water. I can microwave it?!?!?! This is even more exciting than when I learned I could crack an egg in a bowl, stir it up (or risk having it explode like it did once for me) and microwave it as scrambled eggs. Wow!!!
Yeah, you have to be careful of the food snobs that look down on the microwave (the ones who only use it to disinfect their sponges).
The microwave is for heating food that doesn't require it to be cooked, like corn, hotdogs or reheating leftovers. Since these things can theoretically be eaten cold/raw, they do well in the microwave.
I wouldn't cook a steak in the microwave, I wouldn't cook fish in the microwave, but heating up corn or reheating leftover pasta/rice is fine by me.
We trim the husks some (leaving most of it on). Then wrap in cling wrap before microwaving. The steaming hot husks are not too bad to pull off if you pull the cling wrap off and let it sit for a minute or so.
I wrap mine in wax paper too. I've been eating corn on the cob all week! :-)
thank you - I had no clue and the Lord knows I need all the help I can get in the kitchen :-D