Who doesn’t like to munch on those roasted sizzling corn/bhutta lined with some butter and a dash of lemon juice all over it with a pinch of salt and crushed kali mirch? It’s the all-time favorite snack to relish especially during monsoons. There is nothing that truly defines the essence of monsoon in India other than makkai (corn). It is one of the oldest summer crops which is ordinarily savored in the monsoons. Undoubtedly, it is among the healthier snack options as it is consumed roasted/grilled and contains higher nutritional values than any other.
Bhutta serves as a refine accompaniment with friends and chai. It delivers as a versatile snack not only because it can be consumed roasted but can even be steamed and seasoned with any of the number-one flavors of your choice. You can experiment with different seasonings and coatings on the corn kernels as per your preference and taste. This monsoon, you must try out something different with these tiny kernels from the usual roasted one which you generally hop on to the roadside Bhuttawalas. Although there are many steamed corn recipes out there so, here I have turned up with my favorite 3 seasonings/ flavors to make the appetizing masala corn. This is the easiest and quickest snack that you might have been craving for.
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Few Health Benefits of corn as a guilt-free snack
This comfort food not only tastes delicious but it also serves as a health booster. Yes, it is bundled with numerous health benefits. It is highly rich in fiber which stimulates good digestion. Many Nutritionists suggest adding corn in your diet if you want to fill your body with 3.6 grams of dietary fiber. The rich fiber content in corn helps to reduce hunger and hence, promotes weight loss. So, it’s a perfect no-guilt snack to chomp on.
Adding corn to your diet can even prevent heart disease as it is packed with nutrients like Vitamin C, folic acid, and niacin. It contains thiamine which helps to increase mental ability as well as boost your memory. Consuming corn helps in lowering cholesterol and can even restrain colon cancer. It is packed with the two primary phytochemicals like lutein and zeaxanthin which promotes good vision. Corn consists of lower calories, thereafter you can just go ahead and savor this guilt-free snack.
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For making masala corn in 3 flavors
- Firstly, will prepare the corn kernels for making the masala corn. Take a deep bottom pan, fill with water, and place it over a high flame. Boil the water for a few minutes.
- Now, add fresh corn kernels to the boiling water. Let it boil well until the kernels soften a bit. Add a pinch of turmeric powder to it. Do not add it more otherwise the color of the corn kernels would change to reddish, and will not look that appealing.
- Next, add ½ teaspoon of sugar to it. Don’t skip this as it will balance all the flavors. Whenever we boil sweet corns, then you must have noticed that the corn kernels fade a bit. That is the reason for adding a pinch of Haldi to it so that the steamed kernels retain its color. And the addition of sugar preserves the natural sweetness of the kernels.
- Boil the corn kernels by stirring it in between by keeping the flame in high. It will take max 8-10 mins to boil on high flame. You will notice that the warm yellowish color of the corn has been retained wholly. Even the small kernels have been bloated up perfectly, and this is the indication that your corn kernels have been prepared properly.
- After 10 mins, strain the water and add the steamed corn kernels in a fresh bowl.
- Our corn kernels are ready to be mixed with the 3 delicious, tempting seasonings.
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Spicy Masala Corn
Ingredients
- Boiled corn- 1 cup
- Salted butter- 1 Tbsp (room temperature)
- Red chili powder- ½ Tsp
- Black salt- ½ Tsp
- Chaat masala- ½ Tsp
- Roasted Jeera powder- ½ Tsp
- Chopped tomato- ¼ cup
- Chopped onion- ¼ cup
- Coriander chopped- 1 Tbsp
- Chopped green chili- 1 Tsp
- Lemon juice- 1 Tsp
- Salt as required
Method
- Take one cup of the freshly prepared boiled corn in a fresh bowl. Add 1 Tbsp of butter to it and give a good mix. The butter will just boost its flavor to the next level. This will give richness and aroma to the masala corn that tastes so tempting.
- Next, will make a masala with some spices for our spicy masala corn. Take a separate bowl, add red chili powder, black powder, chaat masala, roasted jeera powder as per the specified portions given in the ingredients. Mix all the spices well.
- Add the spicy masala mix to the butter brushed steamed corn. Mix well.
- Then, add ¼ cup of finely chopped tomato, onion, 1 tbsp of freshly chopped coriander, 1-2 chopped green chilies and a dash of lemon juice for that tanginess. Finally, add salt as per taste and give a good mix to all of them. You can adjust the spiciness as per your preference.
- Take care that your steamed corn kernels must be hot, then only all the spices along with the butter will get combine properly. Your Spicy Masala Corn is ready to be chomp down. Serve it hot.
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Mint Flavored Masala Corn
Ingredients
- Boiled corn- 1 cup
- Salted butter- 1 Tbsp
- Green chutney- 1 Tbsp
- Chaat masala- ½ Tsp
- Chopped coriander- 1 Tbsp
- Chopped Spring onion- 1 Tbsp
- Lemon juice- 1 Tsp
- Salt as required
Ingredients for Coriander-Mint Chutney
- Roasted peanuts- 2 Tbsp
- Garlic- 10-12 cloves
- Salt as per taste
- Green chili- 4-5
- Ginger- 1 inch
- Mint leaves- ½ cup
- Chopped Coriander- ½ cup
- Coldwater- 5 Tbsp (as required)
- Lemon juice from half lemon
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Method
- Take one cup of hot boiled corn in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp of butter to it. You can alter the proportion of butter as per your taste or as you like.
- Firstly, will prepare the chutney for our masala corn. Take a mixer jar, add all the ingredients in the appropriate portions as specified for making the mint / green chutney. Grind until you get a smooth paste.
- Make sure to add the lemon juice in the last just before blending. Also, use only cold water for making the chutney. This will make the chutney lasts longer and fresh.
- Add 1 tbsp of prepared pudina-dhania chutney. Then, add chaat masala, finely chopped coriander, a bit of lemon juice, and give it a good mix. You can even add chopped onion or spring onion or any veggies of your choice to enhance its flavor more.
- Next, add some salt as required. Your Mint Flavored Masala Corn is ready to be served.
Italian Flavored Masala Corn
Ingredients
- Boiled corn- 1 cup
- Pizza seasoning- 1 Tsp
- Chili flakes- 1 Tsp
- Salt as per taste
- Crushed black pepper- ¼ tsp
- Chopped green chili- 1
- Chopped coriander- 1 Tbsp
- Salted butter- 1 Tsp
- Grated cheese as required (processed / mozzarella)
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Method
- Again, take 1 cup of hot boiled corn in a bowl. Add 1 tbsp of pizza seasoning, 1 tbsp of chili flakes, salt as per taste, ¼ tsp crushed black pepper, finely chopped green chili, chopped coriander, 1 tsp butter, and finally give it a good mix to it. If you don’t have pizza seasoning than you can simply add oregano and chili flakes in place of it.
- You can even add finely sliced capsicum, onion, or tomato to it. Adjust the spiciness as per your taste.
- Next, add some grated cheese and mix well. You can alter the proportion of cheese if you love having it more cheesy. Your Italian Flavored Masala Corn is ready to be served. Garnish it with some more grated cheese and chili flakes.
Monsoon season is out there, just go and make these super tempting and delicious masala corns in 3 delectable flavors. Kids will enjoy having it. These are super easy and quick to make, no rocket science required, you just need some spices, and veggies, and of course tiny steamed corn kernels to make these appetizing chunks of masala corns.