Barbecues, corn on the cob and other stuff
more fun with my camera.. and some red onion lollies..
This weekend G and I could not resist the sunny weather so we fired up the barbie not once but twice.
I made a horribly embarrassing potato salad but we did have good luck with some corn on the cob that we threw on the grill, husks and all. G was skeptical when I told him it could be done this way, and as the husks began to char (and occassionally catch flame despite having been soaked for 2 hours prior) I began to wonder if maybe he was right.
But I'm happy to report that he was not. Score one for me.
In Canada fresh corn is just something you take for granted. Since moving away I think this is the first time we've ever bought cobbed corn. It's not as easy to find and when you do find it, it tends to look a little sad. But I happened to find a local variety that seemed perky enough so I took the plunge.
Good thing I did because they were fantastic. We didn't say a word to each other the whole time we ate them, kernels flying and butter dripping. I only stopped once to point out that he eats his typewriter style while I prefer to go all the way around in segments starting at one end of the cob and slowly making my way to the other.
I received something like a grunt in reply and then all our concentration went right back to the corn.
I also tried my first hard cider this weekend and I'm not so sure it's my thing. I was expecting the smell of apples but instead it rather smelled like cheese. Oozy cheese. Is that normal?
Either way, it looks like I may have to start wearing my SPF in Britain after all. It's been gathering dust in the cupboard for the last 2 months. I'm not sure how long this sunny weather will last but in the meantime, that barbecue is going to get one hell of a workout.
Labels: london
posted by Michèle at 4:29 AM
19 Comments:
your barbecue is surely getting a workout! barbecued corn, yum!
i am definetely a cider girl! I love the stuff...but smelling of cheese? mmm, maybe you got a particularly strong one : )
btw, you are allowed a bit of warm weather now but I am warning you, I will be performing my special bitterly-cold-winter dance soon, ah!
i can't say that i'm a cider person but then i've only tried it once and the stuff that i had was pretty strong!
glad to hear that the weather's getting better. i've been chatting with my godparents the last couple of weeks and they were starting to think that they weren't going to have a decent summer this year.
Oh dear, I think you might have gotten a bad apple...cider. Perhaps give it a try at a pub. I've rarely had an off one there.
Yay for summer barbeques! I bought my first corn in eons yesterday as well.
Kat, well it seemed as though it rained for 2 months straight as soon as we bought the barbecue so we were a bit disappointed it wasn't getting used more, but it looks like august might redeem itself in terms of weather so that barbecue is definitely going to have to step up to the plate!
Ales, well I won't write cider off just yet then, I did buy another brand so I will give that a try. And don't you dare do your winter dance--I'll have to hurt you! ;)
Chris, it has definitely been a crazy summer! When the sun came out I actually started to get headaches from the sudden change in weather!
Tea, Im hoping it was just a brand that didn't suit me--I am going to give it another shot. I have high hopes! And if I'm still not thrilled by the bottle, I will try it at the pub--a half pint though, just in case ;)
I'd never had corn on the cob until I moved to Australia (from the UK), but I have to agree, it's a fine, fine food. We have the smallest BBQ in the world, but cook corn cobs every time we have a barbie.
A couple of years ago I read a Hari Krishna cookbook, where they served fresh corn with salt ground up with dried chilli, and lime wedges. You dip the lime in the hot salt and then rub over the corn cobs. It's soooo good and it makes your lips tingle. Kind of Mexican, tequila-shot corn . . . but without the tequila.
Nice to see someone else cooking with charcoal! And nice slick blog too. I'll be back to enjoy more!
Oh - and I've had apple cider in normandy that was...funky? It certainly isn't always a refreshing, bright, experience.
Kathryn, glad to hear you are a fan of the cob--and I love the mexican-ish idea. I will definitely have to give that a try next time.
Kevin, it's charcoal all the way--it makes everything taste better. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone on the cider hesitation. I am going to give it one more shot when I'm feeling brave again, but I'm not feeling positive about it. And thanks for the compliment!
Cider comes in all sorts of varieties from the mass produced to the local farm "scrumpy". I encourage you to try some of the traditional farm ciders, and it is best to try them on a trip down to the West Country in deepest Somerset or Wiltshire. Find a renowned cider house (a pub with more cider than beer) with a sunny garden and relax.
There is a nice one on the outskirts of Bath in a village called South Stoke which is easy to get to. The Packhorse Inn (http://www.packhorseinn.com/).
These are very different to the ones you get from a bottle, often fresh and fruity, and a kick as they can be 7.5% alcohol.
Phil
jeepers, your photos are too pretty for words! miss ya...
Phil, thanks so much for the tips--I will definitely keep them in mind. I keep meaning to make a trip to Bath, so I'll be sure to check out the Packhorse Inn when I'm in the area. I really do WANT to like cider, so I'll keep trying until I do!
Cindy, aw shucks. Miss you too doll!
Keep a bowl/casserole of your soaking water next to the grill. As the corn cooks, occasionally dunk them in the water to rehydrate. This keeps the husks from burning, and helps cook them faster through steam.
Tom, Great tip! Thanks so much, I will definitely do that next time. I'm hoping I'll be able to find some good corn for barbecuing at least once more this summer.
Michèle, we just had our first fresh Ontario cobs over the past couple of weeks. We were especially lucky to have a friend bring us some that had been picked just the day before. It really is fantastic slathered with butter and lots of salt and pepper.
Rob, are you rubbing it in? Dude, that is so cruel! Sadly this week all I can find is shrink wrapped cobs with both ends cut off. I know you'll agree that that is just plain wrong!
I miss really good corn on the cob SO MUCH!!! We left upstate NY 8 years ago for the south central US, Oklahoma specifically and (surprise to me) the sweet corn here is awful! I lived on a dairy farm growing up and I rember just pigging out on cob after cob of delicious SWEET corn! I also lived in central Ohio for several years and the corn there is incredible. Especially the "butter and sugar" variety with the yellow and white kernels. No strawberries here either(well, unless you count those hulking things from CA), I digress....lots of okra and tomatoes here though...I guess the corn grown here is just for the farm animals...I may have to jump in the car and drive to Missouri it's probably good up there! I can make it in a few hours...
Martha
Martha, I love your corn story! So cute. Who knew corn could have such an impact on our lives huh! I don't remember "butter and sugar" but I'm wondering if it's the same as what we call "peaches and cream". I do hope you manage to find some good corn this season, even if it means taking a road trip to Missouri!
michele, don't know how to put the accent above appropriate "e", i recently discovered your blog when i was looking for pasta ideas on google images. your pic made me hungry for orechiatte (sp?) pasta with snow peas and feta with grilled zuccini. mmmm
regarding corn cobbed we here have a wonderful festival "chief Seattle days" and our outdoor stand had seawater soaked corn in husk grilled. they sold like hotcakes. we bought every store out of their fresh corn for miles. love your blog!! rene' (also have that bug!)
Rene, Im happy to hear my blog made you hungry ;) You know I keep hearing such good things about Seattle and you've just added another one to the list. I think I am going to have to get myself there, and fast! I hope you have gotten over the bug by the way--it took almost 2 weeks but G and I have finally recovered!
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