If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
Some cooking hacks are so simple, yet so effective, you can’t believe you didn’t know about them sooner. Believe it or not, there was a time when you didn’t put salt in your pasta water…apparently no one did! Thankfully, everyone is aware of this tip now, but we’re always learning new, seemingly obvious ways to enhance the flavor of our favorite dishes. Sometimes, it’s the work of professional chefs that opens our eyes. One such example is the summer corn recipe from star chef, TV personality, and cookbook author Alex Guarnaschelli. This recipe uses a very common secret ingredient that we’re almost certain you already have on hand.
Related article
Martha Stewart’s No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is the Sweetest Way to Beat the Heat
Preparing summer sweet corn seems to vary from household to household, and Guarnaschelli shared an anecdote about her own family on Instagram: “My dad would boil the corncob in water with sugar and salt, and we would eat it (red hot!) right out of the pot,” she shared. “Pour a dab of melted soft butter over the kernels, add a pinch of salt, and you’re in for a nostalgic soak.”
Clarkson Potter.
Let’s Cook: Bold Take on Family-Friendly Cooking
But Guarnaschelli, who enjoys summer, likes to grill corn. So how does she keep the tradition going? She simply rubs corn cobs with olive oil and salt, then grills them until the kernels are nicely charred, bringing out the kernels’ sweetness. But for even more flavor, Guarnaschelli tops her cooked corn with butter, salt, and her secret ingredient: sugar.
If you’re feeling undercooked or using out-of-season corn, this method will help you recreate that fresh-picked taste. Chefs are always conscious of the balance between sweet and salty. We all know you should taste and add salt if needed, but it’s important to remember that sometimes you need to adjust the sweetness, too. That’s the beauty of this recipe. If you don’t have white sugar on hand, Guarnaschelli says you can also use honey or brown sugar.
So, listen up: Guarnaschelli’s grilled corn recipe has everything you need in a summer side dish, but there’s one more tip to make it even more flavorful. How do you bring out the salty, buttery, and sweet flavors in this corn? Add a squeeze of lime juice. That acidity is the final ingredient that will make this grilled corn your new favorite summer side dish. The ingredients are simple, and you probably already have them on hand, but when you put it all together, the result is amazing.
Looking for more summer recipes? Giada De Laurentiis has lots:
Related article
Martha Stewart’s No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake is the sweetest way to beat the heat
WATCH: How to Make Watermelon Mango Salsa
