September 23, 2014 696
Corn is a plant of the cereal family, which has been cultivated by people and grown since ancient times.
The first mention of it was 8,500 years ago, and Mexico is considered its homeland.
They say that it was brought to the European continent by Columbus.
Corn is grown in large quantities in China, the United States of America, Argentina, France, Italy and, of course, Mexico.
These countries are the largest corn producers in the world.
The use of this product is very diverse: its cobs can simply be boiled and eaten, and the grains can be fried and thus become corn flakes, and delicious bread and various pastries can be baked from corn flour.
It tastes great in canned form.
This cereal is also used for industrial purposes:
- Corn protein is used in the production of fiber;
- starch is used in the food industry and for the manufacture of various medications. Also, its starch is the basis for the manufacture of glue, paper, explosives and artificial leather;
- Corn oil is used in cooking and soap and paint are made from it;
- its stems are used in the production of paper and building materials;
- corn hairs are used in medicine;
- stalks are a valuable raw material for the production of plastic products, as well as nylon.
Types of corn
There are 6 types of this plant:
- tooth-like- has large and elongated grains, and due to the fact that the top has a depression, its shape is very reminiscent of a tooth. Its composition includes starch (70%), proteins (16%) and fats (3%). Grown mainly in America and used to feed livestock, and also processed into flour or cereals;
- siliceous- has wrinkled grains of white or yellow color, which actually consist of hard starch, as well as a rounded grain with a convex top. Its composition includes starch (83%), proteins (18%) and fats (7%). Grown all over the world, the most popular varieties are those that have been crossed with dent corn (these varieties are early maturing and have high yields). Mainly used as a grain and also for making corn flakes and sticks;
- waxy– its grains have a matte tint and a smooth skin, and the name is due to the fact that the outer layer of the grains is opaque and very similar to wax. It is grown mainly in America, and is also very popular in China. At the same time, the number of varieties is limited, and their properties differ little from each other;
- starchy– its grains are large and round with a convex top. It is distinguished by late ripening and a high percentage of starch contained in it (more than 80%). Grown mainly in America and used in the alcohol and starch industries;
- sugar– grains of this type are distinguished by a variety of colors. This species grows well with constant watering, which ensures the presence of a large amount of water-soluble sugar and a minimal amount of starch. It is grown virtually everywhere;
- bursting– its grains are distinguished by the fact that when heated they burst, which makes such corn an excellent basis for popcorn. Moreover, the grains themselves can have a cranberry-shaped or rounded top (depending on the top, the taste of the grains resembles the taste of pearl barley or rice flour, respectively). The color of such grains can also be different - from white to dark blue.
This corn is distributed throughout the world and is used in the production of cereals, cereals and other food products.
There are also other species (such as nosed corn or Caragua) that have little value and are not actually grown.
How to cook properly
Cooking this product does not have any strict rules, but there are some features that depend on what kind of corn you are cooking.
If it is fresh corn, it is placed in a pan, filled with water, salted, and cooking takes up to 20 minutes.
Grease with oil and serve.
In order to properly cook young, also known as milk, it is enough to boil it for 10-15 minutes in slightly salted water.
It’s better to time it by the clock so as not to overcook it.
The Bonduelle variety, which is healthy for children, is also prepared.
This variety is cooked like this: put young corn in a pan, add water to cover it and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Old corn should be cooked for about 40-45 minutes until tender.
Besides in a saucepan, it can also be cooked in a double boiler, oven, pressure cooker or microwave.
At the same time, the cooking time is different and so are the cooking methods.
You need to cook in a saucepan for 15 minutes after the water boils, and also let the cooked corn brew in the same water for 10 minutes.
In a double boiler, young corn should be cooked for 5-10 minutes, and old corn - at least 40 minutes.
The corn is washed, and its cobs in leaves are placed in a double boiler.
To generate steam, at least one glass of water must be poured into the steamer.
Bake in the oven for less than 40 minutes, and the temperature in it should be at least 120 degrees.
The corn is washed, cleared of leaves and placed in a mold previously greased with butter.
In a pressure cooker, young corn should be cooked for no more than 15 minutes, and old corn for about 40 minutes.
In this case, the washed vegetable is placed in a pressure cooker and completely filled with water.
Cook it for 5 or 10 minutes, while the installed power should be no more than 800 W.
To cook corn in the microwave, you can wrap it in a plastic bag (cook for 10 minutes) or leave it in the leaves, place it on a baking dish and cook in its own juice for 5 minutes.
In a slow cooker, corn is prepared as follows: pour cold water, not exceeding a measure, into the cooking pan, place the product, cover with leaves on top, 15 minutes and our product is ready.
Cooking recipe
We offer you a clear example of using corn to prepare vegetable casserole.
There are so many recipes for cooking corn that it is quite difficult to choose exactly what you like.
Although there are very popular recipes.
For example, cobs can be cooked in milk and cream, for which you need to boil several cobs, cut the grains and put them in a bowl.
Then add a small piece of butter to the boiling mass and cook for another 10 minutes.
After this, add salt and spices, grind the cream with the egg and cook for 10 minutes.
Don't forget to stir constantly.
Corn casserole will also be very tasty.
This dish belongs to Italian cuisine.
Take about five cobs and rub the grains through a sieve.
Whisk the egg yolks and add them to the corn along with the butter and a little cream to form a sort of dough.
Divide this dough into two even parts and roll out into cakes.
The first of them must be placed on a baking sheet, sprinkled with hard cheese and grated with the second cake layer.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.
, do an excellent job due to their beneficial properties. Find out how they work! How to cook tilapia in the oven? about this wonderful fish, will reveal all the secrets of its preparation. Eat right!
The benefits of stinging nettle are invaluable! Why? Here: you will find out why.
