Look for corn with tassels, or strings, that are brown and sticky instead of dry and yellow. Brown, sticky tassels means the corn is ripe. Squeeze the ear gently to feel the kernels through the husk. They should feel plump and firm, but not hard as little pebbles. Try to buy only what you can eat within a few days, and keep it refrigerated so that the sugar in the corn kernels does not have time to get starchy and overripe. If you have too much corn on hand after a harvest, you can always freeze it.
To ensure even exposure and heating of each ear, arrange the ears in a triangle for three ears, or a square for four ears. Make sure the ears are not touching each other. Do not pile them up or let them overlap, or you may end up with under-cooked corn.
If you are cooking several ears at once, you can stop the cooking halfway through and turn the ears over to make sure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of the corn, you can factor in two to four minutes cooking time per ear.
The husk itself contains little water, so it will remain relatively cool. However, the water in the corn will be steaming hot and can burn you. Be cautious and use oven mitts or tongs to handle hot corn. Check that it is done by peeling back the husk and feeling or even nibbling a few kernels to test the temperature and the springiness of the kernels. Lay the husk back down and return it to the microwave to cook longer if necessary. If the corn is scorched or mushy, it is overcooked – use less time in the future.
Microwaved corn is fresh and delicious; it can be eaten with your hands or using special corn cob tools. Alternatively, you can remove the kernels for a side dish or to use in another recipe. Stand the corn on its end and run a knife down the sides to remove the kernels.
Do not dispose of the husk and silk in a garbage disposal, since they are so fibrous. Throw them in the trash or compost them. A fun craft for children or the young at heart are creating corn husk dolls. Either Leave the stem on for a handle, or tear it off with the husk.
Add a teaspoon of water to the dish to prevent the corn from drying as it cooks. At this stage you can add flavors or toppings that will cook right into the corn. Try shredded cheese, lemon or lime juice, or any number of spices. You can soak the paper towel with liquid flavorings like lemon or lime juice to gently enhance the flavor of the corn without making a mess.
