Charred Corn with Lime, Chile & Crema

Preparation

1. Soak the Corn

   Step 1

   Place the corn in a large stockpot, bowl, or any container large enough to hold all the ears of corn and fill it with water. (The corn must be submerged under water so make sure your container is large enough.) If you don’t have a sufficiently large container, use your kitchen sink.

   Step 2

   Allow the corn to soak for 20 minutes. Remove from the container, shake off the excess water, and tightly squeeze the husks against the kernels of corn.

2. Grill the Corn

   Step 3

   Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high. Place the corn on the rack and grill for 10 minutes. Turn the corn over and grill for another 10 minutes. Remove from the grill and let sit for 5 minutes.

3. Pull Back the Husks and Char the Corn

   Step 4

   Take the grilled ears of corn and pull back the husks, exposing the kernels.

   Step 5

   Place a sheet of aluminum foil on one side of the hot grill. Place the pulled back husks over the foil, allowing the exposed kernels to sit over the open grill. (This is done so the husks don’t burn before the corn can char.)

   Step 6

   Allow the kernels to char for about 4 minutes per side, or until they become dark and golden brown on all sides.

4. Serve with Garnishes

   Step 7

   Brush or slather the corn with crema. I also like to dip lime wedges in cayenne pepper so that when they’re squeezed over the corn, the heat and acid are evenly distributed. Do this by placing the cayenne pepper on a small dish and pressing one side of the lime wedge onto it. Make sure to leave a few wedges pepper-free for those who don’t like it hot.

   Step 8

   Surprisingly, if you use all of the condiments, the corn does not need salt. However, since that is a matter of taste, you may want to place some on the table.

5. COOKING NOTES

   Step 9

   INGREDIENTS

6. Step 10

   Corn

   Step 11

   This recipe can be made with corn that has been husked, using aluminum foil as a substitute for the husk. Place an ear of corn in the center of a sheet of aluminum foil. Sprinkle with a small amount of water and wrap the foil around the corn. Cook as instructed in the recipe. To char the corn, simply remove and discard the foil.

7. Step 12

   TECHNIQUES

8. Step 13

   Removing Silks from Corn

   Step 14

   The silks are the thin strings found inside the husk. Since they are inedible, they need to be removed. To do so, gently pull back the husks halfway down the ear of corn and pull out the silks. It is fine if a few are left behind. Fold the husks back over the corn.

9. Step 15

   Making the Corn in the Oven

   Step 16

   This recipe can be made easily in the oven. Soak the corn as instructed and preheat the oven to 400°F. Roast the corn on a baking sheet for 20 minutes. Then allow it to rest outside the oven for 5 minutes.

10. Step 17

    Cover all of the husks with aluminum foil (so that they do not burn) and char the corn in the oven under the broiler.

11. Step 18

    ADVANCE PREPARATION

12. Step 19

    The corn can be soaked and grilled or roasted a few hours ahead of time and charred before serving.