Corn is a staple part of many people’s diet due to its ready availability, nutritional benefits, and cheap cost.
It is also easy to cook with minimal fuss and is a regular sight at barbecues, garden soirées, birthday parties, and in the school canteen.
It is the most widely grown grain in the U.S., with over 90 million acres of land used and with an estimated 2021 value of 774.5 million U.S. Dollars.
Often it comes as a side dish or appetizer and is most often cooked on the grill, in the oven, or boiled. It can come on the cob, be fried in a pan or wok, and also come as canned goods.
But did you know that you can cook frozen corn in the microwave?
This article will take a look at this cost-effective and time-saving technique, as well as fill you in on the nutritional benefits of this versatile and delicious food source.
Is Corn Good For You?
Corn is absolutely full of beneficial nutrition and sustenance and is a fantastic way to include healthy food in your diet.
It is rich in fiber, digestive compounds, and vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage and helps fight off diseases like cancer, heart disease, and symptoms of cold and flu infections.
Corn also has high traces of the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein, both of which are essential for your eye health, as they greatly aid in preventing damage to the eye and cataracts.
It should be noted that corn is high in starch, and excessive consumption may cause digestive upset in some individuals. Despite these factors, corn is a great component of a healthy, balanced diet.
Why Eat Frozen Corn?
Time-Saving
By far the quickest way to cook corn, especially compared to cooking on the grill or in the oven.
Money-Saving
Corn is cheap and available all year round, so it is a reliable and consistent healthy food source that’s loaded with goodness.
Convenience
Keeping it stored in the freezer ensures that the food doesn’t lose a lot of its nutritional benefits. It’s also easy to store and can remain in your freezer for up to six months.
Do I Need To Thaw The Frozen Cob?
When cooking corn on the grill or in the oven, it is essential to thaw and defrost the corn before cooking. Fortunately, when cooking your frozen corn in the microwave, no thawing is needed; a great time saver!
In case you also intend to cook corn on the grill or in the oven at some point, here is how to suitably thaw the corn:
Put the frozen cobs of corn into a sealable or ziplock bag and place it under cold running water for thirty minutes.
Be sure to only allow a small, slow stream of water to save on water use. Alternatively, you can place the frozen corn in the fridge overnight to allow it to thaw.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Frozen Corn In The Microwave?
The time corn takes to cook depends on a couple of factors. One is the power wattage of the microwave, as this can vary between 600W and 1,200W, with the higher wattage being equal to more power and faster cooking times.
The other factor is how much corn you cook each time, with more corn in the dish requiring a longer cooking time.
For example, cooking up to six ears of corn in one dish might take up to 15 minutes, whereas if you only cook two or three, then it will take between 7 and 10 minutes.
As with cooking corn on the grill or in the oven, be sure to stop the microwave halfway through its cycle to adjust the corn as required.
This will ensure more even cooking through the cobs in the dish and stop any cold spots.
Microwaving Corn On The Cob Instructions
Step 1
Place the corn in a microwave-safe dish, then add about 1/2 inch of water into the bottom of the dish.
Step 2
Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid. This lid will trap the steam in the dish and cook the corn through.
Step 3
Microwave the corn on full power for between 5-10 minutes.
Step 4
Be sure to check that the corn is hot throughout. If it still feels cold, or it’s not quite cooked through, put it back in at 1-minute intervals and check until done.
When complete, discard the excess water to prevent any sogginess or undesired flavor.
Step 5
Season with salt and pepper and add butter as desired. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Corn is a delicious addition to any meal, as suitable as a side for barbecued ribs as it is in your kid’s lunchbox. It is packed with nutrition, as well as being cheap, quick to cook, and it’s available throughout the seasons.
This quick microwaving technique makes cooking corn incredibly easy, saving time after a long day of work. We hope that this guide will help you to become quite the corn connoisseur!
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