Burnt food is every cook’s nightmare, but don’t be afraid of a good char. When charring sweeter vegetables like corn or sweet potatoes, it actually builds flavor by introducing a bit of bitterness that balances their natural sugars.
In this recipe from our book “COOKish,” which focuses on limiting recipes to just six ingredients without sacrificing flavor, charred corn takes center stage in a delicious savory-sweet side dish that’s perfect for potlucks or as an accompaniment to roasted or grilled meat.
Inspired by Andy Ricker’s grilled corn with coconut milk from his book “Pok Pok,” we toss corn kernels and Fresno chilies with coconut milk. Using a broiler, the natural sugars and fat in the coconut milk accelerate the charring process of the corn. The resulting darkened bits add complexity and prevent the dish from being overly sweet.
The brightness of lime juice and zest pairs naturally with coconut. Whisked together, they create an excellent finishing drizzle that is both bright and creamy. If corn is in season, it’s best to use fresh kernels from shucked ears.
Charred corn with coconut, chilies and lime
Start to finish: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 pound frozen corn kernels, thawed, drained and patted dry (about 3 cups)
- 2 Fresno chilies OR 3 serrano chilies, stemmed, quartered lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced
- ⅔ cup coconut milk, divided
- Kosher salt
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- Grated zest of 1 lime, plus 1 tablespoon lime juice
Directions:
- Heat the broiler with a rack in the uppermost position.
- In a large bowl, stir together the corn, chilies, ⅓ cup coconut milk and 1¼ teaspoons salt. Spread evenly on a broiler-safe rimmed baking sheet; reserve the bowl.
- Broil until charred, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with the coconut, then broil until deeply toasted, 10 to 20 seconds.
- Transfer to a serving dish. In the same bowl, whisk the remaining coconut milk, lime juice and ¼ teaspoon salt, then drizzle over the corn. Sprinkle with the lime zest.
Enjoy this perfectly balanced charred corn dish with the delightful combination of coconut, chilies, and lime. It’s a quick and easy recipe that will impress your taste buds!
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