Every year, when summer rolls around, my husband and I have the same exact conversation:
Me: Filasky’s has sweet corn!
Mr. Rache: I don’t like it on the cob.
Me: I want to eat six ears of corn for dinner tonight.
Mr. Rache: I don’t like it on the cob.
Me: I’m going to buy three dozen ears, blanch it and freeze it for winter.
Mr. Rache: I don’t like it on the cob.
Me: The Food and Wine Hedonist just posted a Mexican street corn recipe on his blog. I don’t like mayonnaise, but it looked good. Maybe we should try it.
Mr. Rache: As long as it’s not on the cob.
Me: You know what we should do when we have our barbecue? Grill sweet corn.
Mr. Rache: Corn on the cob gets stuck in my teeth.
Me: That’s what tooth picks are for.
This year the conversation ended a little differently. I relented, spared his teeth, and took the corn off the cob. I’m glad I did, because this was the best corn I’ve eaten all summer–sweet but savory, crisp but smooth, and simply delicious.
Easy to make and to eat
Corn Off the Cob with Bacon and Jalapeno
8 ears of local sweet corn
2 strips of bacon, diced
1 small sweet onion (or half of a large onion), diced
1 jalapeno, seeds removed and diced
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Two pinches chipotle powder
Juice of half a lime
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Remove the corn kernels from the cob with a knife (make life easier and do this in a bowl).
The bowl is your best friend in this scenario
Heat a medium skillet on medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon to a paper towel and set aside. Add the onion to bacon fat in the skillet and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add the jalapeno, cumin, smoked paprika and chipotle powder. Stir to combine, getting those spices all toasty. Add the corn. Give it a stir and add a few pinches of salt and some black pepper. Saute until corn is just cooked but still crisp, about 3 minutes. {Cook’s note: A splash of heavy cream and tablespoon of butter at this point would make this dish even more rich. I refrained as I am watching my figure, and it tastes amazing without the extra fat. But if you try it with heavy cream, skip the lime juice.}
Remove corn from heat, add the lime juice, and check for seasoning. Add more salt if necessary. Transfer to a serving bowl or plates and garnish with the bacon and cilantro. Serves 6 as a side dish.
The Perfect Summer Side Dish
So tell me, are you dainty like Mr. Rache and prefer your corn off the cob? Or are you a chomper like me and want it on the cob–the messier the better?
Rachel's Table 
This recipe has Jim written alllll over it. Bacon AND jalapeño?
Sadly, I’m with Mr. Rache. I will eat corn on the cob if it’s fresh, but I won’t like it. Too messy and gets stuck in my teeth. (sorry, RP, lol)
But don’t you like the kernels running down your chin?? Traitor. Haha.
Mr. Maineiac will love this. Mr. Rache declared it the best corn he’s ever had.
I do not like dripping kernels. I do not like lobster. And I call myself a “true Mainer”??!!
Mr. Maineiac–why haven’t I ever called him this before? Genius.
Jules doesn’t own the market on best nickname giver.
Yeah! Rachey-Pooh you are correct.
Who am I kidding? She taught me everything I know.
Rache,
I eat corn with my mouth.
Le Clown
Come ON, Le Clown.
Does your grinning mouth prefer it on the cob or off? (I’m pegging you for a dainty fellow.)
Rache,
We had corn just two nights ago, and it’s on the cob that I devour with with panache and style. Le Clown ain’t no John Steed, alas.
Le Clown
I’m sure you’re as dapper as Mr. Steed, at least.
I loved the Avengers. Why aren’t those reruns ever on the telly?
This sounds delicious and I can’t wait to make it! I’m also a chomper with butter and corn all over the chin!
Chompers unite! Enjoy!
Thanks for the mention!! This looks awesome.
For us, we’re lucky to NOT eat the cob with the kernels.
Whether Mr. Rache likes it or not, elotes is our next corn side dish. Excited to try your recipe!
sounds wonderful and good for my husband who does not eat corn on the cob either!
MEN! haha. So demanding (and dainty).
not me–I love the butter dripping down my chin and the corn kernels in my teeth!
It’s all part of the experience (we are so hardcore).
isn’t that what corn on the cob is all about? (hardcore–was that a pun–if not it should have been–I am so one for the obvious)
Hahahaha. Not meant as a pun, but your are right. Good one.
You had me at (wait for it…) BACON!!!!
Grilled corn on the cob is one of my summer favorites, although I get where Mr. Rache is coming from. Not the best food if you’re trying to impress someone. Maybe he still feels every meal with you is like a first date.
Ha ha ha. Jules, I like the way you think.
Guess what Mr. Rache and I ate on our first date? French toast and we split a plate of bacon. Love at first bite.
The first thing I thought when I saw this recipe…bacon + hot peppers = you’re spending way too much time around Jules.
You have no idea, Peg. She’s a part of my soul now and it’s made of bacon.
I second the call for grilled corn on the cob — the slightly smokey flavor kicks it up a notch. I usually go for the best of both worlds. Corn on the cob at dinner, and then I cut off the leftovers to make a corn, tomato, and black bean salad to have for lunch the next day.
Besides, food isn’t really good unless its messy, right?
We are speaking the same language. I make a black bean corn salsa that is off the chain good. Simple (and messy) is always the best kind of food!
I need to chomp off the cob, though preferably in private because nobody should have to witness the state I get into…
Oh yeah, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Chewed up corn kernels all over my face and butter down my chin and most likely on my shirt, too. Ah, summer.
Simpatica Rchel, dar portia pe care o expui tu, nu-mi ajunge nici pe o masea,cum se spune!
Sau este iluzia unui desert? 🙂
Multumesc, o retin ca pe o solutie de slabit.
Sper sa nu mor de inanitie?
Onu
My wife loves when i cook corn on the cob on the grill, the bonus being that I actually do some of the cooking.
If you like to grill corn you should check out the Food and Wine Hedonist link I mentioned. Mayonnaise is involved.
When Mayonnaise is involved, I’m always on board.
Love corn on the cob! My husband will eat it either way but doesn’t love it quite as much as I do (which just means more for me). I think Mr. Rache should suck it up or cut it off the cob himself. Lol, and maybe if you start calling him dainty to his face, he might change his tune?
Haha! I ate four ears of corn last night. Mr. Rache ate none. I definitely called him dainty as I enjoyed my corn ON the cob.
Yummy!
Thanks! 🙂
Pingback: Black Bean & Corn Salad | Dishing it out with Clarissa
Yum, yum, yum. On the cob, definitely. I’m going to try this out.
It’s such an easy recipe – lots of bang for little effort. In the winter, I’ll use frozen corn to make it even easier. I hope you try it!
I love corn on the cob,but this looks delicious! When I grill corn, I always make too much. I may have to try this with the leftovers!
Pingback: NetNewsledger.com - Thunder Bay Sweet Corn Season Nearly Here
No bacon for me. Love it straight off the cob, but only if it’s been JUST DIPPED in boiling water for 30 seconds to a minute. Can’t stand over-cooked kernels, which is the only time the husks stick in my teeth.