How to Boil Corn on the Cob (Plus 5 Other Cooking Methods)

Ingredients:

- Fresh corn on the cob

- Water

- Salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the corn: Remove the husks and silk from the corn cobs. Leave about an inch of the husks intact at the top to help keep the corn moist during cooking.

2. Bring water to a boil: In a large pot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add salt, if desired.

3. Add the corn: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the corn cobs to the pot.

4. Reduce heat and simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the corn simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the corn is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

5. Test for doneness: To check if the corn is done, insert a fork into the kernel. If the fork goes through easily, the corn is done.

6. Drain and serve: Drain the corn cobs from the pot and transfer them to a serving dish. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings, such as butter, salt, pepper, or sour cream.

Tips:

- For extra flavor, add some bay leaves or peppercorns to the water while boiling the corn.

- For sweeter corn, add a pinch of sugar to the water.

- If you don't have fresh corn on the cob, you can also use frozen corn. Simply thaw the frozen corn before boiling.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

In addition to boiling, here are five other ways to cook corn on the cob:

1. Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Husk the corn and brush it with oil. Grill the corn for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly charred and tender.

2. Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Husk the corn and toss it with oil and seasonings. Roast the corn for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.

3. Steaming: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place a steamer basket in the pot and add the corn cobs. Cover the pot and steam the corn for 5-7 minutes, or until tender.

4. Microwaving: Husk the corn and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Add a few tablespoons of water and cover the dish. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, or until the corn is tender.

5. Sous-vide: Preheat a sous-vide machine to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the corn cobs in a vacuum-sealed bag and cook them for 1 hour.