Flavor Corn on the Cob with Hot Pepper Jelly
You’re probably most familiar with hot pepper jelly as that sweet and spicy flavor booster that’s so often paired with cream cheese and crackers, but it does some of its best work when spread over a hot ear of corn on the cob. Leave the butter in the fridge — all you need is a little hot pepper jelly.
Why This One Topping Is Enough
Hot pepper jelly is one of those condiments we have a habit of buying, then tucking away in the pantry, and promptly forgetting about it. But not this summer. Break out the jar of this sticky spread, then slather it over every kernel to give your corn a sweet and spicy kick.
How to Cook Your Corn
Before you can utilize the hot pepper jelly, you of course have to have some perfectly cooked corn on hand. Here are three ways to make it happen.
1. Boil it.
The most classic way to cook corn — boil for three to five minutes in a big pot of salted water.
2. Microwave it.
This mostly hands-off method calls for leaving the corn in their husks and microwaving them on high power for four to six minutes.
3. Grill it.
If you already have the grill going, toss your corn cobs on for about 15 minutes, turning frequently for smoky, charred results.
One-Ingredient Upgrades
This series shows you how to use a single store-bought ingredient — one you often wouldn’t expect — to liven up your food. To celebrate the sweet summer corn that’s taking over the market, we encourage you to go beyond butter and use one of these ingredients to give your corn on the cob a jolt of flavor.