There is something extremely dangerous about standing an ear of corn on end and slicing down. And, oh how the kernels fly! Kristen tipped Merrill off to a new (and obvious?) way to denude an ear more safely. What now? Two words: Rhonda's Succotash.
This week's videos were once again shot and edited our videographer Elena Parker (who now produces our bi-weekly Dinner & a Movie column as well!).
36 Comments on How to De-Kernel Corn:
I use a microplane! It works perfectly and is super quick.
Oops, I meant so say a mandolin. It works perfectly. Just put in on a 1/2 or less setting. Amazing!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 9 months agoWow, great idea!
The best way to de-kernel corn is to use your fingers. It's the best and safest method. With the knife, you leave the germ behind. With your finger, you get the whole kernel, germ and all. Try it.
Great tip!
Video not working?
um...wow, I can't believe that this technique never crossed any of our minds before! Ingenious! One of the many many many reasons I LOVE THIS SITE! Thanks ladies.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoYou're very welcome!
Ingenious!
But -- please drop the Hi Guys and 'guys" patter.
Anne
I am with you all the way on the "guys" thing.
As am I. Emphatically. ;o)
Great idea, why didn't I think of that one!
So glad I watched this. I work at a summer camp and there is always leftover corn from our Sunday night grill out. Finally an effective way to get it off the cob and into the salad bar!
Love this. Using the old method, I end up with half the corn on the floor, which makes my dog ecstatic, but makes me very irritable. I'm changing methods! (The dog will have to cope.)
I have always used the more conventional method of cutting down, into a large bowl. I tried it this way last night, to make my corn relish (recipe posted last week), using a nice, sharp 10" chef's knife. It's a far superior technique. The kernels are nice and clean + there's one less bowl to wash! Thank you so much for posting this. I will think of the food52 team with gratitude every time I cut corn, from now on. ;o)
Use an Angel Food Cake pan and secure the cob in the center tube. Works great as you slice and the kernels fall into the pan not all over the kitchen! Love it!
Agree!
Use an angel food cake pan and put the corn in the center tube which holds it steady and the kernels fall into the pan as you slice....works GREAT!
first cut is awkward, but after that, I see this beats holding a whole cob vertically. HOWEVER, here's my method: Break the cob in half so you have more control- shorter pieces and flat ends. Hold the half-cob vertically, and use a SERRATED bread knife. The teeth grab in nicely at the top and you can get in close to the cob without slicing the kernels in half and losing a lot of juices.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoSounds like a nifty trick too.
My Midwestern grandmother is somewhere in the great beyond going, "In all my 101 years on this earth, why didn't I think of that?"
Duh!
In the words of current parlance, genius.
Complete ah-ha moment! Why on earth have I been standing it on end all these years?
And chasing it all over the kitchen!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoWhy have we all?
Corn stripers cost next to nothing and do this in 1/5 the time, with less waste. I might use a knife for one or two cobs, but for prepping a large box of them for the freezer, a knife is insanity. I can do 2 dozen cobs of corn in a couple of minutes, once they are shucked and washed. Yes, I have scraped my knuckles on the striper now and then but that video was scary, watching her cut a round slippery object without any stabilization of cob or hands. I have decent knife skills but still.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoActually, the corn becomes totally stabilized once you make the first cut. Corn strippers are great, but not everyone has one.
This falls under the category of simple yet genius techniques!
ah-HAH!!!
I think this must qualify as the DUH moment of the day in the kitchen! Something soooo simple, and who'd have thunk it? THANKS!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoAll thanks to Kristen!
With two kids in braces, I can't serve fresh corn without stripping the kernels. This looks like a much better method!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoI remember those days...
Thanks for tip. Maybe I won't dislike the task so much anymore!!!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 10 months agoHope it helps!
Please Sign up (or log in) to add a comment!