Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Corn! Glorious CORN!



Maybe's it's my glorious Southern heritage, but as soon as summer peaks his head in, the Deb is wild for sweet delicious corn. My local Teet carries local produce whenever they can, and frequently I am able to get farmer's market quality, fresh, wonderful corn at the grocery store! Ask your local produce person what the store policy is on local produce, or find yourself a local farmer's market. Fresh summer corn is not to be missed, ya'll.

While the Deb has been known to make high calorie deliciousness with her corn (her daddy's favorite corn pudding comes to mind, or fried corn cakes), truthfully there is very little that needs to be done to corn to make it delicious, and this is great news for those of us watching our waistlines! Here's my no-fail recipe for easy corn to use as a side for BBQs and down-home suppers all summer -- quick! Fall will be here before we know it!

Simply Steamed Corn

You'll need:

a veggie steamer (the Deb got hers in a give-away from that same local grocery store!)
1 -- 2 inches water, plus splash of milk
4 ears of white or yellow sweet corn, unpeeled
Fat free butter spray (Parkay or I Can't Believe it's Not Butter! You can also use margarine)
garlic salt and pepper, to taste

Ok. Fill your steamer pan with water, just an inch or two, and then add a splash of milk. This will plump your corn kernels. Next, place the steamer basket on top, cover and heat to boiling/steaming. And important thing to remember with corn is what my great Aunt Lynn taught me: you never shuck corn until the second you're going to cook with it. I don't know why this works, but it's absolutely true. Corn is more sweet, plump and delicious when you hold off shuckin' those ears "nekkid" (do you know any southerners who actually know how to pronounce the word, "naked?") until the last minute. So. Right before you add the corn to your steamer, shuck them, cut off the rough ends, and spray all sides with butter spray and then add all ears to the steamer. Steam only about 5 -- 7 minutes, until bright colored and with sweaty beads on the kernels. Sprinkle with seasonings while still warm.

I put out extra butter and salt for my husband, who can eat a hot air balloon full of cookies and not gain an ounce, but I like mine just as it is when it comes out fresh from the steamer. Because of the light topping and seasonings, a whole ear is only 2 points on WW or about 150 calories. And an ear is a lot of corn, guys. You can totally get away with half an ear and feel totally full.

Also, if you have any leftover corn, slice it off the cob immediately and freeze. It'll be an amazing addition to fall dishes and even winter soups down the line!

2 comments:

Farm Girl said...

I *love* fresh sweet corn! Honestly, its one of the few things that makes the end of summer bearable. I've never tried steaming corn before, but you can bet your sweet patootie I will now! =)
PS This is Andrea from FarmGirlsWorld; the account I'm signed in under is very obsolete!

The Dainty Deb said...

Got it! :)