This can be controversial, I do know, however I’m not a corn on the cob fan. Rising up, summer time dinner may usually be so simple as my mother’s masala bhutta, aka masala corn. It’s ready like road corn, with corn cobs roasted over the open hearth of the range. The kernels are charred earlier than being slathered in butter and topped with chaat masala. Palms down, it’s considered one of my favourite taste mixtures on the earth.
However not like my brother who lives for corn on the cob, I most popular slicing my kernels off. And so, because of a latest yearning for my mother’s no-recipe recipe for masala corn, I got down to recreate these corn cobs in salad kind—no cob in sight.
Whereas it’d look spectacular (re: advanced), this is without doubt one of the best recipes to make. Plus, all of it comes collectively in a pinch because of a stellar roster of flavor-packed substances. Prepare for a brand new favourite manner to make use of up your summer corn.

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The Secrets and techniques to a Good Masala Corn Salad
And by good, in fact I imply scrumptious. Fortunately too, the reply is easy: it begins with actually good corn! As a result of corn is the bottom of this salad, beginning with a stable basis solely makes all the things else on this masala corn style higher. Contemporary corn cobs from the market have probably the most taste and are the best to grill over an open flame, however you may as well use frozen corn in a pinch.
In the event you’re utilizing frozen corn, thaw the corn both within the microwave or let sit at room temperature for an hour. Drying the corn is the trick to getting it completely charred within the pan. Both place the corn onto a paper or kitchen towel and dry the kernels off after thawing, eradicating further water from thawing. Then toss into a big pan on excessive warmth with somewhat oil and let the corn sit for just a few moments for superbly charred items.
With corn on the cob that’s contemporary and in season, I char mine on the open flame of my stovetop and let the flame toast the kernels till they’re darkish and have that scrumptious smoky taste that makes the corn that rather more scrumptious.
How to Remove Corn Kernels (Without Making a Mess!)
For the visual learners, I caught wind of this simple trick just a few years in the past and it’s modified the sport by way of corn kernel clean-up. The trick is to let your knife get as near the cob as attainable with out getting powerful items of the cob in your meals. They do make particular corn cob peelers lately, however who wants one other software when you’ve gotten skilled knife expertise in your facet?
What spices do I use for this masala corn salad?
I use two spice blends and one extra spice to take this masala corn salad to the next level: garam masala, chaat masala, and red chili powder.
You can find garam masala blends at almost any grocery store. The best way to get the most flavor out of it is to activate the spices with a little heat. This is why I add that garam masala to hot butter that gets drizzled over the whole salad—it allows the spices to get fragrant and flavorful. I also use red chili powder so as to add some warmth, however that is optionally available if the jalapeños are spicy sufficient for you!
To complete the dish, I sprinkle on my absolute favourite: chaat masala. My mother would at all times high her roasted greens with chaat masala or use it to boost some sliced fruit—no dinner was extra easy or scrumptious. You’ll must enterprise out to the Indian grocery retailer or order on-line, however I at all times hold chaat masala available for its signature funky and fabulous taste profile.
Ideas for Serving and Storing This Masala Corn Salad
You can at all times miss the avocado should you choose, and utilizing pickled onions as an alternative of purple onions makes for a scrumptious swap. I additionally suppose utilizing a queso fresco or feta cheese on the salad can be so tasty, however you’ll be able to go away it vegan in any other case. Toss the salad together with your favourite pasta for a flavorful pasta salad or over greens for one thing lighter.
Retailer leftover corn salad (when you have any!) in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as three days. I personally suppose this salad will get higher with time as all of the spices and flavors mix collectively, however it’s simply as scrumptious eaten heat or at room temperature.