I love this time of year when the sun shines and the fresh local vegetables are so easy to cook with and of course – I love grilling. Grilled corn-on-the-cob is one of my favourite vegetables to cook on the BBQ. The heat of the grill does a great job of charing and caramelizing the cobs which makes the corn so sweet to eat.
But don't forget the butter...
That's what makes this corn so special. I blended the traditional Caribbean spices; thyme, fresh ginger, scallions, fiery Scotch bonnet peppers, nutmeg and allspice into lots of creamy butter. And to cut the heat I added a big heaping spoonful of Canadian maple syrup.
This corn is a huge hit every time I make it, but give your guests a heads up -- cuz its messy to eat, so pass along the napkins!
Summer corn + the big bold flavours of Caribbean spices + Canadian maple syrup = D E L I C I O U S
Happy grillin'!
My recipe is featured in this months Siren Universe, Canada's leading travel and tourism PR Firm.
Caribbean Grilled Corn with Jerk Butter
This recipe will keep you in the moment long after summer is gone and you start dreaming about the Caribbean sun.
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
For the corn:
- 8 large corn on the cobs, leave husks on, but peel back and remove the silk. Soak the corn in water for 20 to 30 minutes. This will keep the husk from burning and helps keep the corn crunchy.
For the Jerk Butter:
- 1 cup butter, unsalted and at room temperature (if you want to make this vegan use coconut oil)
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped, (if you don't have fresh use 1 tbsp dried)
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg, (fresh ground if you have it)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 scotch bonnet chili, finely chopped, (or more if you like it really hot)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- zest from 2 limes
For the Garnish:
- fresh sliced limes for garnish
- fresh chopped chives and green onion, for garnish
Directions:
- Put the softened butter into a small bowl. Then add all the Jerk Butter ingredients and mix well. Set aside until ready to use. If making ahead store the butter in the fridge.
- Clean corn by peeling back the husks and removing the silk. Soak the corn in water for 20 to 30 minutes.
- While the grill is heating, brush the corn with a bit of the Jerk butter. Grill the corn for about 20 minutes, turning often, until the corn is begins to char. Transfer to serving dish, brush on more of the butter and let it melt over the corn.
- Garnish with chopped chives and lots of limes for squeezing.
Cooks Notes:
- Butter can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to use.
- Serve with lots of napkins, this is messy!
- Any leftover butter can be stored in the fridge and used on just about anything that you would use butter for.
- If you want to make this vegan use coconut in place of the butter.