Magic Corn Trick

We love corn on the cob at our house. In South Dakota, we start getting sweet corn vendors on our streets around the end of July. It's probably the best time of the year (besides Christmas, have I mentioned how much I love Christmas). My mother always boiled our corn, which was great- but time consuming. I do not like to take the time to cook it this way, nor do I always take the time to clean the husk of silk like you should.

I keep looking for tips and tricks on how to improve my corn cooking ways to make it quick and easy. I learned that you can cook sweet corn in the microwave by placing it on a plate and wrapping it with plastic wrap. That is the method I've been using for the last two years, but I got this awesome pin on pinterest called the magic corn trick. The post says, and I quote "the corn will just slide out leaving the silk and all of the husks intact".


I will be honest, I feel like I was lied to (see below for update). I cooked four ears of corn last night for dinner, and it did not work on a single one. She even has on her post "if you can't say anything nice...". I want this to work, it would make life so much easier! I am wondering if maybe I let the corn sit too long. I might still try it again. Please, if anybody else tries this method and can figure out what I am doing wrong, let me know!! Here are her instructions from her blog, HolmFamilyCookbook:

1. Remove a few of the outer husks that might be dirty.
2. Cut the bottoms off of the corn. Be sure to cut above the part of the cob where the husk is attached. It would be above the part of the cob where it starts to round down.
3. Place a moist paper towel on the bottom of the microwave or on top of the carousel and place the corn on the paper towel.
4. Use this guide for your cook time. Remember the cook time can vary for each microwave.

1 ear - 2 minutes
2 ears - 3 to 4 minutes
3 ears - 5 to 6 minutes
4 ears - 7 to 8 minutes
6 ears - 8 to 9 minutes

5. After cooking, let the corn sit about 2 minutes. It will continue to cook and will be cooler and easier to handle. If you let it sit too long, the silk will stick to the ear and will be harder to clean.
6. Pick the cooked corn up by the top (you might want to use an oven mitt if it is too hot to handle) and squeeze and lightly shake out the ear of corn. It should just slide out leaving the silk and all of the husks intact.
7. Just like magic, your corn is cleaned and cooked!

 *UPDATE 8/27/13* I did leave the corn sit too long. I did this again yesterday- just hoping I could get it to work- it totally does!!! Seriously, read the instructions and abide by them- only leave it set for 2 minutes after the microwave goes off.