A much-loved side dish that’s often served at summery barbecues alongside grilled meats and potato salads, corn on the cob can easily become the star of a table spread if cooked right. While there’s plenty of ways to prepare it, and you can even pop it in the air fryer, however, chefs agree there’s one way of cooking it that’s better than any other method.
Corn is naturally quite sweet, so knowing how to prepare it properly is crucial to getting the most out of its flavour, and chefs agree that the best way to do this is by simply boiling it. In an article for EatingWell, four chefs revealed boiling corn is their preferred way of preparing it to ensure you get the most flavour from it. Boiling corn is an efficient way of getting the job done if you’re pressed for time too, as it only takes 10 minutes on the hob.
While cooking corn in water might not sound that exciting, after the kernels are soft and tender, you can go ahead and experiment with different seasonings or ways of serving it. Boiling it guarantees the corn is plump and cooked through.
Speaking to EatingWell, chef Ashish Alfred said: “If you actually want to taste the corn, boiling is the way to go. It’s the most efficient, consistent method to cook it through. You drop that corn into a big pot of salted, bubbling water and let it do its thing — no crazy tricks, no overthinking.”
TheKitchn also tested out eight different ways of cooking corn on the cob in a separate article including boiling it in water, and said it was a perfect example of how the simplest cooking methods are often the best.
There is one crucial step to ensuring it’s tasty, however, and that’s to make sure you add salt to the water before dropping the corn in to boil, as this will complement its naturally sweet taste.
Chef Alfred also adds a touch of milk and butter to his water for a richer and creamier flavour while cooking. After this, you can go ahead and add your seasonings of choice, whether it’s some salt and pepper or a sprinkle of paprika, which Mary Berry recommends.
If you prefer some added crunch, you can also throw it onto the grill for a finishing touch of char, especially if you’re cooking a barbecue.
Knowing how to pick out the right cob can also improve the flavour of this dish, and it’s best to go for pieces with moist-looking and bright green husks that are still tightly wrapped around the corn. Buying it on the same day you plan to cook it will also ensure it tastes its best.
