"corn on the cob" news and stories

When I was young and my family still lived in Los Angeles, we'd make the drive from Eagle Rock to Woodland Hills to visit my grandma Bunny about once a month. My dad's brothers would arrive with their families, filling the driveway with cars, dogs and kids. The musicians would settle down to the serious business of jamming, while Bunny listened, occasionally added a harmony line and took care of dinner. During the summer months, she would buy dozens of ears of corn and it would be my job to help her with the husking. We'd sit outside at a picnic table, a paper grocery bag from Ralph's between us and we shuck away. I can't make corn on the cob without thinking of her.

Over the weekend, I bought some corn at the farmers market and last night I gave it a quick steam. I was the only one eating, but I boiled all I had, because while I love it buttered and hot, straight off the cob, I also am a big fan of fresh corn on salads. What I couldn't eat was sliced off the cob and is now waiting in the fridge to be tossed with some arugula and Lancaster county tomatoes. Oh, but it was good on the cob. Sweet and crunchy and tasting of the essence of summer.

photo by Marisa McClellan

• You don't have to cook your pasta sauces.
• How to catch and cook a Maine lobster.
• The research behind the movie No Reservations.
• This couple collects old and rare cookbooks.
• Meals fit for a queen.
• A cool tool for your corn on the cob.
• This week's recipes: Mussels with Wine, Mussels with Saffron and Tomatoes, Oaxacan Potatoes, Plum Ketchup, Ballpark Mustard, and Peach-Cornmeal Muffins.

You know what we need more of in this world? Food on shirts. I don't mean the logos of food companies, I mean actual food. Hamburgers, popsicles, plates of macaroni and cheese, glasses of wine, whatever. LiquidBlue.com has some pretty wild designs at their site. You can get a giant slice of lime on a cool blue shirt. There's a shirt with an ear of corn around the neck. Or how about a grill filled with steak, shrimp, and hot dogs, since it is summer?

I like the watermelon shirt, since the design actual lends itself to a shirt, with the V-neck shape. Plus I love watermelon.

Corn on the cob is one of those foods I rarely have. It's really a seasonal thing, and considering that season is my least favorite by far (and I'm not a big cookout guy anyway) I never think of having it. But I'll try the following recipe the next time I have it.

It's for Griilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter. Grilling corn on the cob has become more and more popular the past several years and I think the butter in this recipe will give it a kick your family might not be expecting if you're having a Memorial Day cookout.

To quote Tom Cruise on The Today Show, "Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt..."

Matt Wilson over at Cracked.com gives his list of the Best and Worst Thanksgiving Food. I made a prediction before I even read the piece that turkey, stuffing, and pie would be in the "best" category, while green bean casseroles and yams would be in the "worst." Well, I was partly right. He actually lists turkey in the "worst" category!

Whaaaaa?

He gives big props to pie, corn on the cob, and yams though. He doesn't like the cranberry sauce in a can, and it makes me wonder if he even knows you don't have to have it in can, you can actually make fresh stuff yourself!

Matt, seriously, how can you not like turkey? Are you a Communist? (Funny part about the family awkwardness though.)

So what are your favorite ane least favorite Thanksgiving Day foods?