Grilled maize

🌽 Four fresh maize cobs, briefly simmered then grilled with scattered brown marks. No butter or mayonnaise is included; salt and lemon are optional.

Ingredients

• 4 fresh edible maize cobs with tender kernels
• 1 litre drinking water for pre-cooking
• 2 g salt, optional
• 1 lemon in wedges, optional

Preparation

Remove husks and silk, inspect the cobs and rinse under drinking water.

Place about one litre of water, or enough to cover the cobs, in a suitable pan and bring to a boil.

Simmer cobs for eight to ten minutes to begin softening the kernels, then drain well.

Prepare a clean outdoor barbecue with even coals and a cooler zone. Never use charcoal in an enclosed space.

Grill drained cobs over moderate heat for ten to fifteen minutes, turning a quarter-turn every two to three minutes.

Cool a small kernel sample before tasting. Kernels should be tender; move to cooler heat if browning too quickly.

Transfer to a clean platter and cool briefly. Offer optional salt and lemon separately; avoid a fully charred surface.

Serve one cob per person. Cool leftovers promptly, refrigerate and use within two days after thorough reheating.