Sweet corn season is here.  In many places really good sweet corn can be had, like farms markets, road side stands and even Wegmans!  I don’t know about you but when I only am making one or two ears it seems silly to fire up a tall pot of water.  I do steam the corn which only takes an inch or so of hot water but still…too much to do.

A few summers ago on a hot day, I realized there was a quick and easy way to make an ear…or two without that big hot pan of water and steam. I just take a large frying pan, put a quarter inch of water in it, sprinkle of salt and let it heat until bubbling.  I then lay in my ear or two which I have husked and removed all the silk.  Then the pan is topped with a lid or an empty pizza pan if your frying pan is too big for your lids.  Cook it the usual time; depends on how fresh the corn is.  The fresher your corn ears, the less cooking time you need.  The steam in the pan will cook it really fast.  Maybe 6 to 8 minutes. I have been doing this since 2016 and it is such a better way to steam corn. Just give it a try; I know you will find this a great way to cook sweet corn.

And the bonus is that if it runs out of water your ear will get a bit of carmelization going which only adds to the flavor.  In fact, I hope it gets browned a bit; sometimes I rotate the ear to brown it on another side.  Remove with tongs when your corn reaches the done stage you like.  Sometimes I take a quick bite to test for eating readiness!

Serve your ear(s) with salt and butter and enjoy fresh corn without heating the kitchen up much.  Oh, and I have some lovely prong thingies my sister gave me for pushing into the corn, so my fingers stay cool as I munch corn.  Great idea. Get them! Mine are plain like these; they do make corny looking versions, but I prefer these simple looking ones. 

Originally posted in 2016. A few minor grammar changes were made.