Spicy Butter Barbecued Corn

A story about a vegetable, the recipe and my local greengrocer.

One of summer’s simple pleasures is to be outdoors barbecuing our favourite meals, which happens to be a good steak and corn on the cob. As soon as this delicious fresh vegetable hits the shelf of my Local Green Grocer, Fruitezy Marketplace in Miranda, it is served on our table every week.

There is something so beautiful about a corn on the cob. You may think I’m silly but I have always resembles it to a butterfly. In the middle there is the cob with the kernels on it, then the silk, which feels so soft and tender, and finally the husk. The husk formed of layers of leaves encloses the cob with the kernels snugly, just like a cocoon does a butterfly. Can you see the analogy now? It is a perfectly wrapped gift from nature and so what better way to celebrate its freshness and natural beauty than by cooking and enjoying it outdoors?

Furthermore, what other vegetable sings like a corn on the cob sings? Have I confused you? Every bite you take out of a fresh barbecued corn you hear that crispy, crunchy, juicy and lip smacking sound! We all know how good that sound is and the way your lips smack together after your opening bite which requires you to push down your teeth in between those unharvested rows and clearing a patch of cob in preparation for that second bite. Yuuummm!

Therefore a huge thank you to the Australian Growers, Australian Transporters, Sydney Markets and my Local Greengrocer, Fruitezy Marketplace in Miranda, whom without we would not be eating the most delicious vegetable in summer, Corn On The Cob.

Fruitezy Marketplace not only provides for the local community fresh, seasonal and an array of fresh produce, they also make sure that their store and produce is kept to the highest standards. Everything is handled with care, which respects the process of growing the produce, to transporting it, to storing and shelving it and finally arriving into our hands.

What I also love about my local greengrocer is that they love seeing my children walk through the store and choosing from the fresh produce they offer. This may seem like nothing important to some but to me it shows their willingness to interact with customers of the next generation of cooks and fresh produce buyers. In a society that has turned to buying ready-made meals, this interaction can only be of great importance and creating wonderful childhood memories.

And so I created this Spicy Butter Barbecued Corn. Nothing beats the taste of a spicy and buttery corn on the cob, especially when it is so fresh and juicy that you need to quickly lick the side of your pinkie finger before the buttery juices drip down to your wrist! Is there anything more satisfying? I hope you enjoy my recipe as much as we love it! Enjoy xx

The Recipe:

6 corn on the cob

¼ cup combined grated cheddar and parmesan cheese

¼ cup finely chopped coriander

juice of 1 lime

chilli flakes

Butter Mixture:

2 tablespoon butter, room temperature

¼ tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

1/8 tsp ground cayenne

1/8 tsp ground garlic

1/8 tsp sweet paprika

The Method:

1. Fold back the husks from the corn cobs, while keeping the husks attached to the cobs. Remove the corn silk. Tear a few corn husks into long strips and gather the husks and the bottom of the corn. Tie them together with the husk strip.

2. Soak the corn in a bowl of cold water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

3. In the meantime, place the butter and spices in a bowl and combine well. Set aside.

4. Place the corn onto a medium-high heat BBQ or grill. Cover and cook turning occasionally for about 15 -18 minutes. You will know the corn is ready when it looks soft and lightly charred.

5. Before serving brush the spicy butter over the corn kernels and sprinkle with coriander leaves and grated cheese. Enjoy!