Good Things Come in Small Packages

Mother Nature gives us many gifts. Every single day. Some come wrapped — little presents just waiting to be opened. Like corn. My family cherishes this present from Mother Nature, and in childlike fashion, we usually tear right into them, ripping the packages open to…

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Mother Nature gives us many gifts. Every single day.

Some come wrapped — little presents just waiting to be opened.

Like corn.

My family cherishes this present from Mother Nature, and in childlike fashion, we usually tear right into them, ripping the packages open to steam or boil the lovely kernels until they are just tender enough to savor. But there is another way to go about it that highlights corn’s flavors and beauty, in a totally different manner.

Have you ever grilled corn before? Husk and all? It’s been a long while since I’ve had corn prepared this way, and I have come to realize that I have overlooked the beauty that hides within corn’s clever packaging. Last night at dinner, I noticed for the first time Mother Nature’s brilliance.

When you grill corn, you end up with smokey, charred husks that upon closer inspection, highlight gorgeous striation. Peel each husk away, and it is transformed into a stunning flower.

Of course, Grilled Corn In Husks tastes oh-so-good. There is another level of flavor, some smokiness, that penetrates the sweet kernels. The husks envelop the corn cob in its own blanket of steam, cooking the corn very efficiently, protecting it from drying out. And you know what else? It’s easier to peel. It’s as if this is how Mother Nature intended for us to enjoy her little golden presents.

Grilled Corn In HuskGrilled Corns

I can hardly call this a recipe, but here are instructions, in case you’ve never tried this method before.

Preheat grill to high heat.

Peel off just a few of the outer layers of the corn’s husk. Place corn, husks and all on the grill, and allow to cook, rotating periodically. The husks will char, and that is okay. Allow corn to grill for about 15-20 minutes, until the husks are evenly charred.

Carefully peel away the husks to reveal the perfectly cooked corn within. I enjoy my corn this way, but if you wish, you can place the peeled cobs on the grill briefly for some grill marks on the kernels. Otherwise, dig right in.

Comments

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  1. Rick

    That corn looks like a flower! Not much of a corn fan but I have to admit, those look gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Thank you, Rick – not a corn fan? Oh no! I encourage you to try this if you haven’t yet – it may change your mind!

      Reply
  2. Mdivani Monroe

    Can’t wait to fire up the grill. Funny, I have never done corn on the grill (don’t know why I never thought about it). Sounds super yummy!!

    Reply
  3. heidileon

    Loved all the pictures and the writing. Specially loved the first picture, so inciting without saying too much. Well done.

    Well, what can I say?. Have I ever ate grilled corn in husks?. Of course I have!, Being Mexican, this is a must for us. We eat elotes asados (grilled corn in husk) any given day.

    I have had the opportunity to eat some elotes asados, right on the corn field, on the first day of the corn harvest (early september). Soft, tender, juicy and sweet. We pour over a little bit of lemon juice and salt, and that’s it!.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hola, Heidi! Thank you so much – especially coming from you, I appreciate the compliments! Now, eating elotes asados right on the corn field sounds fantastic – it doesn’t get any fresher than that!

      Reply
    • Liren

      Thank you, Lisa! Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make the best presents, isn’t it?

      Reply
  4. Spicy Green Mango

    What is it with the color yellow that puts me in a fluttery mood where I just want to dance the day away. Such pretty and vibrant colors and gorgeous pictures, Liren. As the page was loading and I saw snippets of the charred husk, I was hoping that you did a corn post and by golly, you sure did! I love the young little lady dressed in a sunshine yellow shirt in the background–must be your little girl. I need to get me a kid model to hold my food b/c somehow, they produce the most charming photos.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Yellow is such a happy color isn’t it? My bedroom growing up was a sunshine yellow, and it always put me in a good mood. What’s funny is that it was completely serendipitous that my daughter happened to be wearing yellow that day – at first I thought the corn would just be washed out against her shirt, but look at that, I really think it works!

      Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Linn! I had more grilled corn today – so good! Definitely perfect for a bbq party.

      Reply
  5. Jenn

    Corn in any form or fashion is food of the gods. It is simply amazing. I saw corn bubbletea. It may be taking it too far, but different strokes for different folks *nods head*.

    I haven’t had grilled corn in ages. My parents, well my dad, used to say at “home” in Mauritius, they would have corn grilled on charcoal. I’m assuming grilling corn is the way corn was meant to be eaten optimally. Now, I can’t wait for the deck to be built and our grill to get going because watching use yours reminds me of how much longer I need to wait to even see mine. It’s still in the box!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Wait. Did you just say corn bubble tea? How did it taste? Did you try it? I LOVE bubble tea, and would have to try it if I ever saw it.

      I really wonder if this is how the first humans who figured out corn was edible ate it. I do remember stopping by a corn field in Pennsylvania once and the farmer offered a taste of raw corn – the quality and high sugar content of his corn was so remarkable that it tasted perfect raw! Anyway, I can’t wait till you get your deck and grill ready!!! It must be torture seeing it in the box!

      BTW, did you grow up in Maurtius!?

      Reply
  6. MaryMoh

    I love sweet corn. I can just eat it as a meal. I love it boiled with some sea salt…very delicious. Would love to try it on the grill next time.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Mary, before we started grilling corn, we usually steamed it. But I think I really love this way better – hope you try it next time!

      Reply
  7. Stella

    I love grilled corn, Liren. It is common street food in North Africa, and I always wonder why it isn’t more popular here in the states-wholesome and delicious it is!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Funny, you would think grilled corn would be as popular, especially since we grow so much here!!!

      Reply
  8. Cristina @TeenieCakes

    I noticed there were some beautiful husked corn in the mkts today! Sounds like a great idea for this weekend. Nothing like grilled corn with butter…the more charred, the tastier!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Cristina! I really love the charred flavor of the grilled corn – so so good! It really makes it so interesting!

      Reply
  9. patty Price

    What an inspiring post, can’t wait for summer and all the grilled corn I’m going to prepare and eat! I usually grill the corn without the husk but I’ll give your method a try, it looks beautiful!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Patty! Oh, do try it with the husk – it steams within, making it so moist!

      Reply
    • Liren

      Debi, THAT is a fantastic idea. I love cilantro – and chipotle butter? I usually don’t like buttering my corn, but I would totally love chipotle butter!

      Reply
  10. The Housewife

    I love corn! Never tried grilling it with the husk on though. Back in India, vendors at the beaches usually roast it over coal and give it to you with a mixture of lime, red chili powder and salt.

    Reply
  11. Caroline

    Ha, my family just had our first grilled corn of the season a few days past & here you are posting about them! Aren’t corn cooked this way great, I love the smoky caramelized flavor grilling imparts to the corn. Yum. (& I see you are really enjoying your new grill!) :)

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Caroline! Isn’t the corn remarkably good for this early in the year?

      Reply
  12. merry jennifer

    I see you all are putting that lovely new grill to good use. :)

    I love corn in all types of preparations, and you’re right – simple grilled corn on the cob is just so wonderful. It’s been a while since I’ve made it this way. Now I’m looking forward to fresh summer corn!

    Reply
    • Liren

      LOL, yup, we’ve been REALLY putting the grill to good use. I do love corn grilled – I think this will be our method of choice this summer!

      Reply
  13. Baking Barrister

    Gorgeous photos! This is the only way we cook corn in my house, except we soak it for about 20 minutes first. The flavor is so wonderful and it needs no salt/butter like boiled corn.

    The only thing is that you have to remember to shuck it outside. Small pieces of charred corn husk are not fun to clean off of the kitchen floor.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Thanks!!! I prefer my corn simple with no salt or butter either. And I couldn’t agree with you more – shucking corn indoors can be such a pain to clean!

      Reply
  14. chef Dennis

    I love grilled corn…I can’t wait for our local corn to come in…..
    thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Liren

      Oh I know! Once the bulk of the summer corn comes in, it’s going to be awesome :)

      Reply
  15. roxan

    I LOVE grilled corn. when you were a kid (or last night hah!) did you ever try to eat it the way they did in cartoons? Hhaha… I always tried but it never worked.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Oh my goodness – so in the cartoons they eat it like typewriters, right? Funny enough, I sort of do. When I was young, I noticed that my grandfather was the neatest, most methodical corn-eater. Straight across, he managed to eat the corn on the cob by fully removing each kernel – it left the neatest looking cob. I was determined to learn how to eat corn like him, and I still do today! No messy looking corn cobs for me!

      Reply
  16. Donna - Dishy Goodness

    So beautiful, Liren! I love the way you peeled the husks back to form a flower! Really makes me want to run down to the local farm stand and get some white corn!

    Gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Liren

      Hi Donna! I was just so intrigued by how pretty the corn was – I had never taken the time to notice before!

      Reply
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