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25 ways to dress up corn on the cob

 
Better corn on the cob, from top: garlic and Old Bay seasoning; Tuscan blend of rosemary and sun-dried tomato; Jamaican sweet corn rolled in coconut; and Oaxacan-style with queso fresco.
Better corn on the cob, from top: garlic and Old Bay seasoning; Tuscan blend of rosemary and sun-dried tomato; Jamaican sweet corn rolled in coconut; and Oaxacan-style with queso fresco.
Published June 30, 2014

There may not be any other food that screams Fourth of July cookout more than corn on the cob.

It goes with everything — burgers, steaks, chicken, hot dogs — plus it doesn't require utensils, unless you count those cute cob holders. I simply use my hands and just have extra napkins at the ready. Toothpicks, too. It could also be the centerpiece of a vegetarian meal, piled high with grated cheeses.

Corn can be boiled, roasted or grilled, thus adding to its list of versatile personality traits, and that includes how well it meshes with other flavors.

Butter, salt and pepper have long been the most common way to dress up corn on the cob, though many of us like it without any adornment, especially when it is super sweet. But if you think of all the ways we eat corn — in chowders, salads, vegetable medleys and blends and baked goods — you realize how well it pairs with both savory and sweet.

Our list of 25 ways to adorn corn on the cob proves that point. It's a global survey of flavors that celebrates America's melting pot.

The toppings should cover 8 ears of corn and are good candidates for experimentation. Another way to declare independence.

Janet K. Keeler, Times food and travel editor

1 Oaxacan-Style

Combine 3 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco with 2 tablespoons chili powder, ½ cup sour cream, ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon (or more) cayenne pepper. Stir in juice of 1 lime. After the corn is cooked, dollop with mixture and serve with more crumbled cheese on top.

2 Maple-Mustard

Brush corn (after, if boiling; before, if grilling) with olive oil. While cooking, combine ¼ cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and a pinch of allspice. Spread mixture on hot, cooked corn.

3 Barbecue Glazed

Brush corn with olive oil and grill. Meanwhile, combine ¼ cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion, 2 tablespoons honey and ¼ teaspoon coarse salt. Baste corn with mixture during last 3 minutes of grilling.

4 Olive Oil, Garlic and Parmesan

In a small bowl, combine 2 grated garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Baste hot, cooked corn with mixture and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

5 Chilies & Lime

Cut corn into 3- to 4-inch lengths and cook. While the corn is cooking, mix ½ stick of melted butter plus 2 tablespoons each mayonnaise, sour cream and lime juice, and 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste in a large bowl. When corn is cooked, toss in mixture. Garnish with lime zest.

6 Curry & Pistachios

Stir 2 tablespoons curry powder into 1 stick of hot melted butter. Drizzle on cooked corn and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

7 Tuscan Blend

Mix 2 tablespoons of dried Italian herbs, such as McCormick's Perfect Pinch blend of rosemary and sun-dried tomato, with 1 stick of softened butter. Let sit for at least 30 minutes so that the dried herbs rehydrate. Spread over cooked corn.

8 Basil-Tomato

Seed 2 ripe tomatoes and grate, then drain. Discard as much liquid as possible. Mix tomato pulp with 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese plus 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and spread on cooked corn.

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9 Cilantro & Sesame

Mix 1 stick softened butter with 2 teaspoons each toasted sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro. Spread on corn and sprinkle with more sesame seeds and kosher salt.

10 Tarragon & Lime

Mix 1 stick softened butter with 2 to 3 tablespoons of minced fresh tarragon and the zest of 1 large lime. Spread on hot, cooked corn.

11 Bacon-Cheddar

Spread mayonnaise on warm corn. Roll in grated cheddar cheese and top with crumbled, cooked bacon.

12 Honey-Butter

Combine 1 stick softened butter with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons honey. Spread on hot, cooked corn.

13 Parsley & Chive

Combine 1 stick softened butter with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and 1 tablespoon each (or more, according to taste) of finely chopped fresh parsley and chives. Spread on hot, cooked corn.

14 Fruit Chutney

Mix 1 stick melted butter with 3 tablespoons fruit chutney, like Major Grey's. (You could even use marmalade.) Drizzle over hot, cooked corn.

15 Guacamole

Spread homemade or prepared guacamole over hot, cooked corn. Top with a squeeze of fresh lime.

16 Bacon-Wrapped

Wrap raw corn with slices of bacon to make a spiral and brush lightly with honey. Grill on medium or roast in a 350-degree oven, either for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn several times during cooking so that bacon cooks evenly.

17 Pesto & Parmesan

You won't need butter or oil when you spread pesto over hot, cooked corn. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

18 Goat Cheese & Thyme

Stir together 2 tablespoons softened butter with 2 ounces goat cheese crumbles, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried). Season with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt. Spread on hot, cooked corn.

19 Cinnamon Sugar

To 1 stick melted butter, add 1 tablespoon each cinnamon and sugar. Drizzle on hot, cooked corn.

20 Cumin & Pepper

Mix 1 stick softened butter with ½ teaspoon of cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and coarse sea salt to taste. Spread on hot, cooked corn.

21 Garlic & Old Bay

Blend 1 stick softened butter with 1 minced garlic clove and ½ teext> teaspoon Old Bay seasoning. Spread on cooked corn and sprinkle with more Old Bay and kosher salt.

22 Lemon-Pepper

Incorporate 2 tablespoons of a lemon-pepper blend with 1 stick softened butter and spread over hot, cooked corn. Garnish with lemon zest.

23 Jamaican Sweet Corn

Prepare a mixture of ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 ½ tablespoons curry powder, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Spread mixture on hot, cooked corn and roll in toasted coconut.

24 Spicy Asian Glaze

Mix ¼ cup hoisin sauce, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Brush on corn and grill or roast, basting and turning several times. Before serving, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

25 Spicy Sriracha

Mix 1 stick softened butter with 2 tablespoons fiery Sriracha sauce. Spread on hot, cooked corn. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro.

Sources: Buzzfeed.com; Food Network; Cooking Light; Better Homes and Gardens; Real Simple