Easy Way to Get String Off Corn

The Food52 Hotline is where questions go to go answered—from the best way to thaw a frozen cake to the best all-purpose flour for baking. Today, we're talking about summery, gilded, buttery corn. Which we dear more than anything. Except, ahem, its pesky silk strands. How the heck do you remove those things? And what is our examination kitchen's go-to way to shuck corn? Allow's discover out.

Around here, we could talk about corn all day: how to cull an ear (no peeking!), the all-time style to cook it on the cob, and how to utilize the whole ingredient—yep, every single part. And don't get united states started on our favorite ways to swallow it: raw, charred, creamed, and even churned into ice cream. And of course nosotros're all in dear with kitschy cob-shaped holders. Corny? Oh, we don't intendance.

Just if there'south anything standing between united states of america and corn, it's the silk. You know, those wispy strands clinging to the kernels? On the Hotline, Food52er Kathy asked for the best style to remove corn silk, and we were all ears to hear what the community had to say...

Brush

• Endeavour removing the silk with a make clean nail brush or soft dish castor as Monita does.
• Opt for a defended vegetable brush (for corn or mushrooms) like Dona and kimhw recommend.
• Skip the specialty brushes: Miznic opts for a toothbrush, "usually picked up for virtually 99 cents."

Microwave

• Pegreen suggests the microwave method: "Cut a small slice off the stalk end of un-husked ear of corn. Put a few ears in microwave on high for xxx seconds, the husk and silk should come up off more easily. Then cook corn as desired."

Teeth?

• Tin't be bothered to become rid of the silky wisps? You aren't alone. Our senior graphic designer removes the corn silk "with my teeth, while I'yard eating, because I'm too lazy to remove it."

Thanks, everyone! We'll accept to endeavour that teeth trick later—but for now, hither are our test kitchen'south top tips on how to shuck corn:

• When shopping, option a heavy ear, with firm kernels (go alee, give it a piffling clasp).
• Peel away the tough, outer leaves, and discard.
• Grab the silky tassel on top, along with a scattering of light-green leaves, and pull from the top to the bottom, in one strong motion. Discard the silk and leaves.
• Echo the previous step until well-nigh of the silk and all the leaves are gone.
• Snap off the bottom stem. (Or leave it on if you like a handle!)
• Utilise a small, clean castor, such every bit a vegetable brush or toothbrush, to scrub away whatever remaining corn silk. Easy.

And now that the silk is gone (yahoo!), here are a few of our favorite recipes with fresh corn:

Sriracha-Lime Corn Salad

Perfect next to grilled chicken, crispy fish, or a juicy steak. (Too, perfect to bring to a potluck!) Sugariness corn gets paired up with spicy Sriracha, diced bell pepper, fresh cilantro, and crumbly Cotija cheese.

New-Fashioned Corn Pudding

A contemporary—and much more savory—take on classic corn pudding. Skip the saccharide and bring in sautéed onion and garlic. And instead of just milk or cream, throw in some buttermilk and sharp cheddar for good mensurate.

Corn Fritters With Cheddar & Scallions

The corniest corn fritters you'll ever meet. The fresh kernels are bound together with grated cheese and sliced scallions, plus a little egg and flour. We love how they chocolate-brown and crisp in the pan, forming potato chip–similar edges.

Pasta With Tomatoes, Corn, Squash & Ricotta

Name a summerier pasta—we'll wait. Our co-founder Merrill Stubbs opts for shells and basil, but feel free to play around with both the pasta shape and fresh herbs. Penne, orecchiete, and rigatoni would all exist happy here. Every bit would mint, thyme, chives, or a mix.

This commodity originally published in May 2014. Nosotros refreshed it for another summer of eating too much corn (just kidding, no such thing). What are your tricks for removing corn silk? And what's your favorite corn recipe of the summer? Let us know in the comments.

Photos by Eric Moran

cuffiecrum1950.blogspot.com

Source: https://food52.com/blog/10303-how-to-remove-the-silk-from-an-ear-of-corn

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