Baby Corn Secrets Exposed! Here’s the Juicy Details

They’re known as the young of the King corn, flimsy, sweet, and tender, with their bright sunshine yellow attire, baby corn can be considered the cutest little dolls in the vegetable world.

Pleasing to the palate, whether steamed, fried or braised, these little babies are sure to compliment your dishes in both presentation and taste.

The largest producer of baby corn is currently Thailand, but wherever there’s corn being grown there could always be baby corn.

Here are the answers to your questions to acquaint you with these delicious little tots.

How to Prepare Baby Corn

Preparing baby corn is as easy as one, two and three. All you need to do is to rinse them well under cold running water, making sure to remove all the silks.

Then drain off all the excess water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Be gentle as they are quiet tender. Your baby corn is now ready to use as desired.

Do You Have to Cook Baby Corn?

It might surprise you to know that the answer to this question is no, as baby corn can be enjoyed cooked or raw, the choice is yours.

Whether you cook baby corn or not will depend on your preference, as the recipe choices are endless for both raw and cooked corn.

If you are looking for that natural sweet taste, and that evidently promising crunch, then raw baby corn would be the way to go, however, if it is a mild, sweet and tender taste, with the enhanced flavour of spices that you’re after, then cooked baby corn would be the deal.

How Do You Eat Baby Corn?

Baby corn is submissive, offering her all. From sun breeze attire to core, the sweet tenderness remains.

A waste free substitute to that of her elders, baby corn can be enjoyed in its wholeness. Whether it is added to stir frys, soups or salads, baby corn can be devoured in its full capacity.

Do You Eat the Whole Baby Corn?

Yes, the whole baby corn is yours to eat and enjoy in both its raw and cooked stages. The tenderness that it permeates throughout is because it is harvested at its infant stage, compared to that of its elders. It still emits the same taste and flavour from the inside out, promising that familiar deliciousness to your dish.

What Is The Difference Between Corn and Baby Corn?

Think between the parent and child scenario to get a better view of these two. Similar features, complexion, personality etc.

The baby corn is harvested in its infant stages, making it more fragile, hence the tenderness throughout, whilst the Corn, known as the King of its crop, stands big and strong as it is harvested when fully mature.

The baby corn can be enjoyed in its full capacity, as it is tender throughout, whilst with the corn only the kernels can be eaten as the maturation hardens the cob.

They both still permeate similar delicious flavours, have almost identical complexions and possess relatable features, with the difference being in their age gap.

How to Cook Baby Corn

Not everyone enjoys the cooking process but you don’t need to be a pro chef to cook baby corn. Here are a few easy methods for you to enjoy this delicious baby.

Blanched Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
2 cups boiling water
2 cups ice water

Method:

Add 2 cups of water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Have the 2 cups of ice water sitting in a bowl. Carefully add the 2 cups of baby corn to the boiling water for 10 to 20 seconds. Strain immediately after and place them in the ice water for 15 seconds. Blanched baby corn method is completed.

Boiled Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
3 cups water
Salt to taste
Melted butter (optional)

Method:

Add 3 cups of water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Carefully add the 2 cups of baby corn to the boiling water and let it cook for 5 minutes. Thereafter, strain, add salt and enjoy. Add the melted butter if you wish. Boiled baby corn looks neat on your plate.

Steamed Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
2 cup water

Method:

Add 2 cups of water to a heavy bottom pan and bring to a boil. Place steamer basket on top of the pan. Place the baby corn into the steamer basket in a single layer. Cover the steamer and allow it to cook for 7 minutes. Steamed Baby corn is done.

Stir Fried Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
15ml olive oil
Soy sauce (optional)

Method:

Add the oil to your hot skillet or wok. Make sure to keep the heat on medium. Then add the corn and stir fry for about 3 minutes until corn has changed a light brown colour. Add soy sauce and cook for another minute. Remove from skillet. Stir fried Baby corn is ready for the party.

Deep Fried Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
60ml all-purpose flour
60ml corn starch
5ml chilli powder
1.5ml garlic powder
1.5ml onion powder
2ml salt
1.5ml black pepper
100ml water
Vegetable oil to fry

Method:

Preheat oil in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium heat. Mix together the flour, corn starch, chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper and water to form a thin batter. Dunk the baby corn into the batter one at a time, and then carefully place them into the hot oil. Fry the corn for 3 to 4 minutes or until light brown and crispy. Strain and dry on paper towels. Deep fried baby corn is fully dressed and ready to serve.

Braised Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
10ml soy sauce
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Add the soy sauce, stock, salt and pepper to your skillet or wok. Stir it together and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place the baby corn into the delicious broth and simmer for 5 minutes or until broth has reduced and thickened. Braised Baby Corn in its tanned glory is ready to serve.

Roasted Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
30ml olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
10ml toasted sesame seeds to garnish

Method:

Preheat the oven at 400 F / 200 C. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil. Place the baby corn in a single layer on the foiled tray. Drizzle with oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, turning once on the 10 minute mark. Remove from oven and garnish with sesame seeds. Roasted baby corn is ready to rumble.

Microwaved Baby Corn

Serves: 2

2 cups baby corn
60ml water
Salt and pepper

Method:

Using a microwavable dish or bowl, place the baby corn in a single layer. Add the water and cover the bowl with microwave safe plastic wrap. Poke in a few breathing holes and microwave on high for 6 to 8 minutes. Then strain and season with salt and pepper. Microwaved baby corn has completed the circuit and is ready to serve.

All of the above methods can be made with fresh, frozen or canned baby corn. If you are using fresh baby corn, don’t forget to clean, rinse and dry them before cooking. Make sure to thaw out frozen corn before use, and don’t forget to strain the liquid from the canned corn before adding it to your recipe.

Baby corn is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into recipes from various cuisines.