Corn for a Crowd
Notes: If cooking more than 1 batch of corn, use tongs to lift out hot ears, then add more to boiling water. Replenish water as needed, and return to boiling before adding more corn.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a covered 10- to 12-quart pan over high heat, bring 5 to 6 quarts water to a boil.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, pull off and discard cornhusks and silks. Immerse ears in boiling water. Cover and cook until corn is hot, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3
3
Drain, or lift ears from water with tongs. Season hot corn with choices from the flavor bar, or butter ears and add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4
4
Nutritional analysis for corn per ear of unseasoned corn.
Step 5
5
Flavor Bar--Select 1 or more of the following combinations. Each covers at least a dozen ears of corn.
Step 6
6
Chili salt and lime: Mix 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder. Cut 3 limes into wedges. Rub corn with lime wedge, then sprinkle with chili salt to taste.
Step 7
7
Per serving: 7 cal., 53% (9 cal.) from fat; 0 g protein; 1 g fat (0 g sat.); 4 g carbo (1 g fiber); 585 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 8
8
Sesame teriyaki: Mix 3/4 cup purchased thick teriyaki sauce or glaze and 1 tablespoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil. In an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over medium heat, stir about 1/3 cup sesame seed until golden, about 3 minutes. Brush corn with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seed.
Step 9
9
Per serving: 45 cal., 56% (25 cal.) from fat; 7 g protein; 8 g fat (4 g sat.); 8 g carbo (6 g fiber); 691 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 10
10
Pesto: In a blender or food processor, combine 1 1/3 cups fresh basil leaves, 2/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, and 2 cloves garlic; whirl until mixture is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread on corn.
Step 11
11
Per serving: 120 cal., 98% (117 cal.) from fat; 2 g protein; 13 g fat (2 g sat.); 6 g carbo (4 g fiber); 41 mg sodium; 7 mg chol.
Step 12
12
Mexican cheese and chili: Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons milk. Put 3/4 cup finely crumbled cotija or grated parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon ground dried California or New Mexico chilies or chili powder in individual bowls. Brush corn with mayonnaise mixture and sprinkle with cheese and chilies.
Step 13
13
Per serving: 86 cal., 91% (78 cal.) from fat; 5 g protein; 7 g fat (2 g sat.); 7 g carbo (1 g fiber); 141 mg sodium; 7 mg chol.
Step 14
14
Cilantro-chili-garlic butter. Mix 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) melted butter or margarine with 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeño chili, and 2 or 3 pressed or minced cloves garlic. Brush on corn.
Step 15
15
Per serving: 103 cal., 96% (99 cal.) from fat; 2 g protein; 11 g fat (2 g sat.); 3 g carbo (0 g fiber); 117 mg sodium; 31 mg chol.
Step 16
16
Lemon-thyme butter: Mix 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) melted butter or margarine with 1/4 cup minced chives or green onions, 1 tablespoon minced fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Brush butter on corn.
Step 17
17
Per serving: 69 cal., 100% (69 cal.) from fat; 1 g protein; 7 g fat (8 g sat.); 3 g carbo (1 g fiber); 79 mg sodium; 21 mg chol.
Step 18
18
Mustard-tarragon sauce: Mix 6 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried tarragon, and 1 pressed or minced clove garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Brush on corn.
Step 19
19
Per serving: 64 cal., 95% (61 cal.) from fat; 1 g protein; 8 g fat (9 g sat.); 5 g carbo (0 g fiber); 45 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 20
20
Spiced salt: In a 6- to 8-inch frying pan over medium heat, stir 1/2 teaspoon each cumin seed, coriander seed, mustard seed, and black peppercorns until mustard seed begins to pop, about 3 minutes. Pour into a blender with 1 tablespoon coarse salt and grind to a powder. Sprinkle on buttered ears of corn.
Step 21
21
Per 1/4 teaspoon: 7 cal., 0% (0 cal.) from fat; 0 g protein; 0 g fat; 1 g carbo (0 g fiber); 184 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 22
22
Curry butter: In a 6- to 8-inch frying pan over low heat, stir 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder, 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) butter or margarine and stir until melted. Brush on corn.
Step 23
23
Per serving: 104 cal., 95% (99 cal.) from fat; 2 g protein; 11 g fat (2 g sat.); 5 g carbo (3 g fiber); 118 mg sodium; 31 mg chol.
Step 24
24
Dried tomato–basil butter: In a food processor, whirl 1/4 cup drained dried tomatoes packed in oil until finely chopped. Add 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter or margarine (at room temperature) and 1 teaspoon dried basil; whirl to blend. Or finely chop tomatoes with a knife and mix with butter and basil in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread on corn.
Step 25
25
Per serving: 80 cal., 94% (75 cal.) from fat; 4 g protein; 3 g fat (8 g sat.); 4 g carbo (3 g fiber); 98 mg sodium; 21 mg chol.
Ingredients
5 to 6 quarts water
Flavor bar (recipes below)
12 ears of corn
Salt and Pepper
Directions
Step 1
1
In a covered 10- to 12-quart pan over high heat, bring 5 to 6 quarts water to a boil.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, pull off and discard cornhusks and silks. Immerse ears in boiling water. Cover and cook until corn is hot, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3
3
Drain, or lift ears from water with tongs. Season hot corn with choices from the flavor bar, or butter ears and add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4
4
Nutritional analysis for corn per ear of unseasoned corn.
Step 5
5
Flavor Bar--Select 1 or more of the following combinations. Each covers at least a dozen ears of corn.
Step 6
6
Chili salt and lime: Mix 1 tablespoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder. Cut 3 limes into wedges. Rub corn with lime wedge, then sprinkle with chili salt to taste.
Step 7
7
Per serving: 7 cal., 53% (9 cal.) from fat; 0 g protein; 1 g fat (0 g sat.); 4 g carbo (1 g fiber); 585 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 8
8
Sesame teriyaki: Mix 3/4 cup purchased thick teriyaki sauce or glaze and 1 tablespoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil. In an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over medium heat, stir about 1/3 cup sesame seed until golden, about 3 minutes. Brush corn with sauce and sprinkle with sesame seed.
Step 9
9
Per serving: 45 cal., 56% (25 cal.) from fat; 7 g protein; 8 g fat (4 g sat.); 8 g carbo (6 g fiber); 691 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 10
10
Pesto: In a blender or food processor, combine 1 1/3 cups fresh basil leaves, 2/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, and 2 cloves garlic; whirl until mixture is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread on corn.
Step 11
11
Per serving: 120 cal., 98% (117 cal.) from fat; 2 g protein; 13 g fat (2 g sat.); 6 g carbo (4 g fiber); 41 mg sodium; 7 mg chol.
Step 12
12
Mexican cheese and chili: Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons milk. Put 3/4 cup finely crumbled cotija or grated parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon ground dried California or New Mexico chilies or chili powder in individual bowls. Brush corn with mayonnaise mixture and sprinkle with cheese and chilies.
Step 13
13
Per serving: 86 cal., 91% (78 cal.) from fat; 5 g protein; 7 g fat (2 g sat.); 7 g carbo (1 g fiber); 141 mg sodium; 7 mg chol.
Step 14
14
Cilantro-chili-garlic butter. Mix 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) melted butter or margarine with 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeño chili, and 2 or 3 pressed or minced cloves garlic. Brush on corn.
Step 15
15
Per serving: 103 cal., 96% (99 cal.) from fat; 2 g protein; 11 g fat (2 g sat.); 3 g carbo (0 g fiber); 117 mg sodium; 31 mg chol.
Step 16
16
Lemon-thyme butter: Mix 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) melted butter or margarine with 1/4 cup minced chives or green onions, 1 tablespoon minced fresh or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Brush butter on corn.
Step 17
17
Per serving: 69 cal., 100% (69 cal.) from fat; 1 g protein; 7 g fat (8 g sat.); 3 g carbo (1 g fiber); 79 mg sodium; 21 mg chol.
Step 18
18
Mustard-tarragon sauce: Mix 6 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot, 2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried tarragon, and 1 pressed or minced clove garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Brush on corn.
Step 19
19
Per serving: 64 cal., 95% (61 cal.) from fat; 1 g protein; 8 g fat (9 g sat.); 5 g carbo (0 g fiber); 45 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 20
20
Spiced salt: In a 6- to 8-inch frying pan over medium heat, stir 1/2 teaspoon each cumin seed, coriander seed, mustard seed, and black peppercorns until mustard seed begins to pop, about 3 minutes. Pour into a blender with 1 tablespoon coarse salt and grind to a powder. Sprinkle on buttered ears of corn.
Step 21
21
Per 1/4 teaspoon: 7 cal., 0% (0 cal.) from fat; 0 g protein; 0 g fat; 1 g carbo (0 g fiber); 184 mg sodium; 0 mg chol.
Step 22
22
Curry butter: In a 6- to 8-inch frying pan over low heat, stir 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder, 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup (3/8 lb.) butter or margarine and stir until melted. Brush on corn.
Step 23
23
Per serving: 104 cal., 95% (99 cal.) from fat; 2 g protein; 11 g fat (2 g sat.); 5 g carbo (3 g fiber); 118 mg sodium; 31 mg chol.
Step 24
24
Dried tomato–basil butter: In a food processor, whirl 1/4 cup drained dried tomatoes packed in oil until finely chopped. Add 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter or margarine (at room temperature) and 1 teaspoon dried basil; whirl to blend. Or finely chop tomatoes with a knife and mix with butter and basil in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread on corn.
Step 25
25
Per serving: 80 cal., 94% (75 cal.) from fat; 4 g protein; 3 g fat (8 g sat.); 4 g carbo (3 g fiber); 98 mg sodium; 21 mg chol.
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