Everyone knows about the need to eat as many vegetables as possible. They are rich in vitamins, fiber, and trace elements. If a person can do without meat and animal products with a reasonable planning of his diet, then the lack of vegetables in the menu will cause significant harm to the body.
Although, from the point of view of science, corn is a cereal crop, it is considered by the people to be its vegetable because of its cooking methods. Such a judgment is fully justified; it is not inferior to vegetables in the content of vitamins and nutrients.
Features of cereal
Corn is produced from: cereals, flour, starch, alcohol, mixed fodder, corn oil. The remaining parts also go into business. Of them harvested hay or silage.
Beneficial features
Corn champion in the content of useful substances. Corn kernels are a rich supplier of fiber for our body, therefore, the use of this product improves the contractile and secretory activity of the digestive system, contributes to the accelerated elimination of toxins, radionuclides, poisons and slags.
The “queen of the fields” is rich in vitamins. 150 grams of corn will provide a daily rate of vitamins of group B. This means a good work of the nervous system, stress resistance. Vitamin E has a positive effect on visual acuity..
Few people know that corn cobs are comparable to the liver in iron content (3700 mcg), this makes corn indispensable for the treatment and prevention of anemia, especially in pregnant women.
Magnesium and potassium have a beneficial effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of developing strokes, heart attacks and other cardiological diseases. Vitamins and antioxidants have a good effect on the skin, nails, hair, slow down the aging process.
Watch the video about the beneficial properties of corn:
Which one to choose?
To make a tasty and healthy dish, you need to take a responsible approach to the choice of products. An immature, overripe or spoiled fruit can not only spoil the taste of the dish, but also cause significant harm to health. To choose the right ear of corn, you need to follow some simple rules.:
- Make a purchase only in stores or in proven places. Do not take food from the hands. No one will guarantee their proper storage.
- Rate the look of the cob. The leaves should be green in color and fit snugly to the cob, the color of the grains is uniform, light yellow.
- Pay special attention to the presence of mold. Even a small amount of it indicates that such fruit cannot be eaten.
- If you crush a seed, a thick bright liquid will appear inside - this is a sign that the corn has not overslept.
TIP: The best season to buy corn is the end of August. This is the time of its maturation. If you buy corn in the proc, or in the autumn-winter period, you need to take care of its proper storage.
To store in the fridge first you need:
- Remove the husks from the cob and cut off the "brush".
- Soak peeled cobs in water with salt and lemon pieces for 20 minutes.
- Throw in a colander, wait until all the liquid is drained.
- Remove the grains from the cobs.
- Store corn kernels in a tightly closed food container.
Training
Before you start cooking corn, you need to prepare it.. This is not difficult to do:
- Rinse the ear under the tap.
- Cut dry and dirty leaves with a knife.
- Large cobs cut across into two parts.
- Pour with cold water and leave for one hour.
If the overripe corn before cooking is soaked in milk for four hours, the dish from it will turn out soft and juicy (about how much to cook the old corn so that it becomes soft and juicy, read here).
Recipes
Can I make a quick meal?
If you are concerned about how much to cook the corn, then the preparation of this cereal is a long process. Depending on the degree of maturity of the corn cooking will take from 30 minutes to 3 hours. This time can be significantly reduced if you use a microwave. Now there is a microwave in almost every kitchen. Many housewives use it to heat and defrost food, although the functionality of modern appliances allows you to cook a full dish.
In order to quickly cook the corn will need:
- microwave;
- cellophane food bag;
- dishes suitable for use in the microwave oven;
- several corn cobs;
- salt, spices.
The principle of cooking corn in the package for different dishes is the same:
- Rinse the corn thoroughly, remove the leaves from the cob.
- Sprinkle the prepared cobs with two pinches of salt, put in a plastic bag for baking.
- In the same package pour two or three tablespoons of water.
- Tightly tie the package into a knot or fasten with special clips so that the contents could not fall out of it.
- From above, carefully make a pair of holes in the package with a knife, 1 cm in size, so that steam comes out of them, but the contents do not spill out.
- Package contents put the glassware without a lid.
- Microwave 7-10 minutes at full power.
This method of cooking is very convenient and simple in execution, saves time, requires minimal cost. Corn cooked quickly the package will protect the microwave from contamination in the case of bursting grains.
Watch a video about cooking corn in a microwave oven package:
Popcorn
The most popular dish of corn. It is easy to cook in the microwave in the package, following simple instructions.
For cooking will require:
For cooking you will need:
- corn cobs;
- butter;
- salt or sugar.
Step by Step Cooking Instructions:
- Rinse the corn thoroughly, gently remove the grain from the cob with a knife.
- At the bottom of a plastic bag for baking, pour in two tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Place the grains in a bag, tightly tie them into a knot, or fasten them with a special clamp so that the grains cannot get enough sleep.
- Shake the bag with the contents so that all the grains inside are evenly oiled.
- Cook in a microwave oven at full capacity for 2-3 minutes.
- Ready popcorn pour out of the package on the dish, sprinkle with salt or sugar to taste.
- Serve warm or chilled.
IMPORTANT: In the process of cooking grains will increase greatly in size, so you should use small portions.
In the cob
The peculiarity of this delicacy is that the ear is prepared right in the leaves. To do this, the best fit young ears with green leaves. Water in this case is not necessary to use, the necessary moisture will give fresh greens on the cob.
For cooking will require:
- several corn cobs;
- butter;
- salt, pepper, greens.
Step by Step Cooking Instructions:
- Rinse the cob well under running water.
- Cut dry leaves with a knife, leave only green ones.
- Drain the cob with a paper towel on all sides.
- Put in a plastic bag for baking without adding water, tightly tie into a knot or close with a special clip.
- In the package next to the knot, make a pair of 1 cm holes with a knife so that during cooking steam is released, but the contents do not fall apart.
- Package put in a glass container without a lid.
- Cook in a microwave oven for 5-7 minutes at full power.
- Take the finished corn out of the bag, put it on the dish, brush each butter on the top with the butter.
- Serve, not clearing the leaves, eat with hands, holding the leaves, without using cutlery.
This method of cooking is good for snacking on the street. Such boiled corn will really please the children.
On skewers
For cooking will require:
- several corn cobs;
- butter;
- salt, pepper, greens;
- skewers for canapes.
Step by Step Cooking Instructions:
- Remove leaves from cobs of the same size, rinse well under running water.
- Cut the cobs across into 5-6 cm pieces.
- Put the pieces in a plastic bag for baking, add 2-3 tablespoons of water.
- Tightly tie the bag on the knot or close with a special clip.
- In the bag above, make two holes with a 1 cm knife for steaming.
- Package put in a glass container without a lid.
- Microwave 5-7 minutes at full power.
- Put the ready-made bars from the bag to the dish, sprinkle with a piece of butter, add salt, herbs and spices to taste.
- In the middle of each bar sticking a wooden skewer, so that it was comfortable to hold her hand.
- Serve, laid out on the dish, as a snack.
Roasted with sweet pepper
For cooking will require:
- 1 onion;
- 2 sweet peppers;
- 400 g of boiled corn;
- 200 g of beef broth;
- vegetable oil;
- salt;
- ground black pepper.
Step by Step Cooking Instructions:
- Peeled onions, cut into small cubes.
- Fry the onions in a pan using vegetable oil until golden brown.
- Rinse the corn, clean the leaves.
- Boil, separate the grain from the cob with a knife.
- Add the corn to the onions in the pan and cook another 5 minutes
- Wash peppers, remove seeds, chop into small strips.
- Add the pepper to the pan to the onions and corn.
- All ingredients are thoroughly mixed, salt, pepper to taste and pour in meat broth.
- Stew under cover until cooked on medium heat.
Learn more recipes for cooking corn in the microwave here.
How to serve?
Corn dishes can be used as a snack or side dish to the main dish. In the first case, it can be served cold or hot, after having been lubricated with oil, salt, seasoned with spices and herbs.
If the corn is cooked right on the cob, you can eat it without using cutlery, holding onto the leaves or special skewers. Corn garnish served in portions or on a common disheating with a fork, helping with a knife if necessary.
Tips and Warnings
Despite its beneficial properties, corn kernels are contraindicated for people with gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. Possessing the ability to increase blood clotting, corn is harmful for thrombophlebitis. Excessive consumption can cause flatulence, impaired stool, even in a healthy person. Do not eat dishes from corn for people with individual intolerance to this product.
When cooking corn in the microwave, you need to remember:
- Do not use metal and coated dishes for cooking in a microwave oven!
- Cooking time depends on the power of the microwave oven, the size of the cobs. It is important not to overdo the corn, otherwise it will turn out dry and hard.
Conclusion
Eating corn is a good way to diversify your menu with a delicious and healthy dish.. A nice bonus is that it will take quite a bit of time to prepare. Cope with such a lunch or dinner is not difficult. Cook a few cobs in the microwave, fill with oil and spices and nicely bring to the table under the power of even an inexperienced hostess.