Originally published August 6 2005
How to enjoy corn as part of family meals
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
With summer approaching, many people will add corn on the cob to their evening meals. Follow these steps to get the best corn possible.
As summer shines on backyard barbeques, family reunions and picnics all over the United States, many Americans will be selecting locally grown sweet corn at farmers' markets and grocery stores to add to their summer tables.
The path to perfect sweet corn begins with selecting a high-quality ear, identifying the best way to prepare it and creating finishing touches that add new flair to this staple of summer flavor.
According to registered dietitian Mary Lee Chin, consumers should look for bright green, moist husks and stiff, dark silk when selecting corn and make sure they can feel individual kernels by pressing gently against the husk.
"Consumers now have the option to purchase insect-resistant sweet corn, which means they won't find a worm already enjoying their corn when they begin to husk it."
In addition to offering consistent, high-quality sweet corn, biotech varieties also reduce the need for spraying and provide consumers with tasty sweet corn for an extended season -- without the annoying worms.
"If you have purchased your corn at the supermarket, or you are not going to prepare it immediately, adding one teaspoon of sugar for each quart of water used in cooking can replace the lost sweetness," said Chin.
Boiling, baking, grilling and even microwaving are all options to consider when deciding how to cook the ears.
-- Boiling: Remove husks and silk from the corn and place the ears in a pot large enough to hold the amount desired.
Cover the pot, bring water to a boil and wait 3 to 5 minutes, or until kernels are very hot.
As a nutrition expert, Chin recommends finishing the perfect ear by blending canola oil with herbs and seasonings.
Thanks to the tools of biotechnology, new varieties of heart-healthy oils reaching the market limit trans fats and offer healthier alternatives to hydrogenated margarines.
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