We’re with Corn Kid: Recipes for ‘the Most Beautiful Thing’ on the Internet
Dear Corn Kid, we also really really really like corn.
In this week’s edition of, “The Cutest Thing We Saw on the Internet,” we’re taking some time to offer up an ode to Corn Kid.
Yes, Corn Kid, the beloved YouTube and TikTok sensation who just. loves. corn! It is, after all, “a big lump with knobs” that “has the juice.” And when you add butter, “everything” changes.
“I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing,” says Corn Kid, who also believes “everyone has to try it.”
And for a delicious twist, we’ve also included a few new masa recipes straight from Jorge Gaviria, the founder of Masienda, a purveyor of masa and masa harina for restaurants across the West and beyond.
Here’s to corn, the delightful wonder; just don’t forget to add butter!
Our Favorite Corn Recipes
1 of 14Thomas J. Story
Smoky Corn
Grilled corn sprinkled with crunchy, spicy Salsa Seca is going to be your new favorite summer party food.
2 of 14Thomas J. Story
Grilled Korean Cheesy Corn and Grains
Savory-sweet Korean corn cheese is a deeply satisfying cross-cultural mashup. Typically made with canned corn, this version uses grilled fresh corn. Japgokbap is traditionally a mixture of millet and sorghum and legumes. Feel free to use any combination of cooked grains, whether it’s a mix of barley, brown rice, quinoa, wild rice, or farro. No matter what combo you use, this cheesy, spicy, melty side dish from Los Angeles restaurant Yangban Society is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
3 of 14Thomas J. Story
Elote
Is there any better appetizer than sweet, crunchy Mexican street corn? Bacanora’s version boasts two cremas.
4 of 14Thomas J. Story
Corn Ribs and Tofu
Deep-frying corn “ribs” enhances the corn’s natural sweetness, according to the team at Seattle restaurant Tomo.
5 of 14Annabelle Breakey
Fresh Corn and Avocado Salad
In the height of summer, you won’t find a better side dish for ribs than this deceptively simple combination of peak-season produce. Try bringing it to a party, too.
6 of 14James Carrier
Corn and Tomato Salad
You can make this corn and tomato salad up to four hours ahead; cover and chill. Bring to room temperature to serve. Sprinkle with cheese just before serving this quick and easy side dish.
7 of 14Peden & Munk
Grilled Corn Poblano Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette
When cutting corn kernels from the cob, stand it in a bowl and slice down the cob’s sides; the bowl corrals the flying kernels.
8 of 14Lisa Romerein
Tomato-Corn Salad
Fresh corn is often so sweet and tender that there is no need to cook it. Chef Bart Hosmer uses basil flowers in this dish. Just pull the flowers from the stalks and sprinkle them like confetti into the salad in place of (or in addition to) the chopped basil. They add a light, floral note.
9 of 14Lisa Romerein
Corn-Avocado Relish
Cumin and cayenne add a kick to this delightful side dish or appetizer.
10 of 14
Israeli-Style Grilled Corn
We reimagined Mexican street corn with Israeli flavors, seasoning the grilled ears with tangy yogurt, salty feta, herbs, citrus, and a little heat.
While masa may not be an expected ingredient in waffles, it adds an extra crunch and chew that is unlike that of all-purpose flour. Here, Jorge Gaviria asked pastry chef Jess Stephens (of Empellón and Onda restaurants) to develop a sweet treat you’ll be sure to revisit.
12 of 14Annabelle Breakey
Fresh Corn Cakes
Dress up these cakes with salsa and sour cream and serve as an appetizer. They’re also delicious as a side dish, simply smeared with butter.
13 of 14Alex Farnum
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Cilantro Queso Fresco Butter
This decadent combo is from Mark Fischer, chef of Restaurant Six89 in Carbondale, Colorado. Offer any leftover butter to spread on warm bread.
This batter is the key to fried fish tacos at Empellón restaurant in New York City and “can be used on just about any host, from fish and shrimp to vegetables and tofu,” Jorge Gaviria of Masienda explains in his new book Masa. “[Chef] Alex Stupak’s secret to getting an even, flaky consistency from this masa batter is to run it through a cream whipper. Cream whippers work by using compressed nitrous oxide to aerate the liquid inside through a nozzle at the top. If you don’t have one of these lying around, you can get pretty close by whisking or blending the batter for a bit longer, as you might to whip cream, for 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth and even.”