Sweet and Popping Corn: The Perfect Boiling Method
An Easy Way to Boil Corn at Home
Here’s how to enjoy corn at its delicious best! This recipe involves leaving a layer of the husk for added flavor, and uses a golden ratio of salt and sugar to maximize the corn’s natural sweetness and achieve that delightful popping texture. It’s a foolproof method even for beginners to make delicious corn!
Ingredients
- 6 fresh ears of corn
- 1.8 L water (enough to cover the corn)
- 2/3 Tbsp salt
- 4 Tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the corn for a delicious boil. To retain nutrients and flavor, it’s best to peel off the tough outer husks, leaving 1-2 layers of the softer inner husks. This keeps the corn kernels moist and sweet. Place the prepared corn ears snugly in a pot. Initially, add just enough water to cover the corn. Avoid adding too much water at once, as this can leach out the corn’s sweetness.
Step 2
Add salt to enhance the corn’s savory notes. For 6 ears of fresh corn, add 2/3 tablespoon of salt. Salt helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the corn.
Step 3
Now, let’s add sugar for extra sweetness. For a taste that kids especially love, add 4 tablespoons of sugar. Sugar will make the corn even more delicious and tender.
Step 4
It’s time to boil the corn to perfection. Cover the pot tightly and boil over high heat for about 20 minutes. It’s important to start with high heat to quickly bring the corn to a boil and seal in its flavors.
Step 5
After 20 minutes, the corn should be partially cooked. Open the lid and add more water if needed to ensure the corn is submerged. Cover the pot again and reduce the heat to medium, continuing to boil for about 15 more minutes. This step ensures the corn is cooked through and tender.
Step 6
After a total of 40 minutes of boiling (20 minutes on high, 15 minutes on medium), turn off the heat, keep the lid on, and let the corn steam for 5 minutes. This steaming process deepens the flavor and adds moisture. Once done, remove the corn, let it cool slightly, and enjoy! While delicious hot, letting it cool a bit allows the ‘popping’ texture of the kernels to really shine through!
