| How to Cook Corn on the Cob Posted: 13 Jun 2021 05:00 PM PDT Corn on the cob is one of those foods that can instantly transport you to the height of summer. There's something extra special about tender kernels of sweet corn paired with butter and a little salt. And the good news is that it's hard to tire of corn on the cob when there are so many ways to prepare it! Read on for a few new techniques to try. - Bring a pot of water to a boil to make corn on the cob for a crowd. Just fill a big pot 3/4-full with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Shuck as many ears as you like and lower them into the water. Then, bring the water back to a boil and turn it off. Set the lid on the pot and leave the corn in the water for 5 to 10 minutes or until the kernels are tender.[1]
- You can keep the corn cobs in the pot of hot water until you're ready to serve them.
- Want creamy-tasting corn on the cob? Add of milk, of heavy cream, and 1/4 cup (56 g) of butter to the pot with water before you add the corn.
- Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high if you want corn with a smoky flavor. Cut off silk that's sticking out of each ear of corn and peel off just 1 of the outer layers of the husk. Then, cut off the bottom stalk of each cob and throw them onto the hot grill. Cook the corn for 5 minutes before you turn them with a pair of tongs. Grill them for 5 more minutes so they're nice and charred. Let them sit on a serving plate for a few minutes before you shuck and serve them.[2]
- You may have heard that you should soak your corn in salty water before you toss them on the grill. You don't have to do this to get great-tasting corn, although it's a good idea if you're grilling older corn or the husks have started to dry out.
- Preheat your oven to for a hands-off cooking method. If you don't have a grill or want an easy way to cook lots of corn, just preheat your oven! Carefully place as many ears of corn as you like right onto the oven rack without shucking them first. Cook the corn for 30 minutes and wear oven mitts when you take them out.[3]
- You can shuck the roasted corn before you serve it or let everyone shuck their own.
[Edit]Microwave - Put 1 ear into the microwave for the fastest way to cook corn. There's no need to shuck the corn first—just set it right in your microwave and cook it on the highest heat setting for 3 to 4 minutes. Then, wear an oven mitt to take the hot corn out of the microwave. Slice the bottom stalk off and slip off the husk before you enjoy your tender corn.[4]
- If you want to microwave 2 ears of corn, add an extra 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time.
[Edit]Instant Pot - Cook up to 8 ears of corn in your pressure cooker. For a quick way to make corn on the cob, pour of water into an Instant Pot and put the rack in it. Shuck 8 ears of corn and put the stalk-ends on the rack. Then, close the cooker and secure it. Turn the cooker to high and cook the corn for 4 minutes. Once the steam is released, open your cooker and use tongs to get your steamed corn out.[5]
- Always be really careful when your pressure cooker is releasing steam since it's easy to accidentally burn yourself.
[Edit]Boil and sauté - Cook tender corn in a skillet to give it a crisp texture. Start with 4 ears of corn that you've shucked and boiled for 5 minutes. Heat of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add the corn cobs. Cook them for 2 minutes and turn them a few times so they crisp up on the outside. Then, brush them with a spice mixture and cook them for 3 more minutes. For a quick, flavorful spice mixture, combine:[6]
- of vegetable oil
- 1 clove of minced garlic
- 1/3 cup (33 g) of shredded Parmesan cheese
- of lime juice
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground cumin
- of hot pepper sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Heat your classic smoker to for corn that has incredible flavor. 2 hours before you're ready to cook, peel back the husks and rip out the silk, but don't pull off the husks. Wrap them back over the exposed kernels and soak the cobs in cool water for 2 hours. You should also soak your wood chips in a separate bowl of water for 30 minutes. When you're ready to smoke, arrange the corn cobs in a single layer in your old-school smoker and add the wood chips. Smoke the corn for about 1 hour or until the ears are tender.[7]
- Using a fancy new pellet smoker? Turn your pellet grill on to and arrange shucked corn on the cob on the grill. Then, set the timer for 20 minutes and your corn should come out perfectly smoked!
- If you're smoking large ears of corn, they may need an extra 15 minutes in the smoker.
[Edit]Campfire coals - Cook corn cobs with their husks in the embers of a fire for a smoky flavor. While your fire or charcoal dies down, carefully peel back the husks so you can rip the silk from 3 corn cobs. Wrap the husks back in place and secure them with a piece of string. Soak the corn cobs in water for at least 15 minutes. Then, push the coals to 1 side of the ground or grill grate and lay 3 ears of corn down on the ground or grate. Cover them with the coals and roast the corn for 10 minutes.[8]
- If you want to cook more corn, spread 3 more ears on the opposite side of your grill or fire.
- You'll know the corn is done when the kernels look deep brown in color.
[Edit]Sous vide - Vacuum seal corn on the cob if you want to use your sous vide cooker. Get perfectly cooked, plump kernels of corn by heating a water bath to with your sous vide cooker. Shuck up to 4 ears of corn and put them into a vacuum-seal bag. Once you remove the air from the bag, lower the corn into the water and weigh it down with a skillet. Cook the corn in the water bath for 30 minutes.[9]
- If you'd like to make more corn, just fill another vacuum-seal bag and cook the two bags of corn at the same time.
- Want to season your corn while it cooks? No problem! Put a few pieces of butter along with salt into the bag before you vacuum seal it.
- Do you like really sweet corn on the cob? Choose the "peaches and cream" variety, which is naturally sweet.
- Refrigerate your leftover cooked corn on the cob in an airtight container for up to 5 days.[10]
- Serve corn on the cob with lots of butter or margarine. You can season it with salt, pepper, or spices like cajun seasoning.
[Edit]Warnings - Wear oven mitts when you handle hot ears of corn, boiling water, or hot cooking elements.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Stop a Fridge from Ice Build Up Posted: 13 Jun 2021 09:00 AM PDT Most modern refrigerators don't need to be defrosted, so you shouldn't have much trouble keeping your appliance free of ice and frost if it's in working order. Just remember to keep the door closed as much as possible. You may also want to check the doors and inner seals to ensure that they're forming a tight seal and not allowing any warm air to sneak in. Additionally, aim to keep your fridge clean and tidy, inside and out, to keep the air circulating correctly. If you notice that frost or ice is starting to build-up in your refrigerator or freezer, simply melt or chip away at the small chunks. [Edit]Troubleshooting the Doors - Open the fridge and freezer doors as infrequently as possible. Opening the door frequently increases the humidity levels inside your fridge and freezer which can lead to ice buildup and frost. Avoid leaving your fridge or freezer doors open when you're deciding what to eat or trying to figure out which ingredients to pull out. Instead, make a quick mental list of what you'll need so you can take all of those things out at one time. Only open 1 door at a time. Be as quick as possible and close the doors in under 1 minute.[1]
- For instance, if you're going to be baking, take out the eggs, butter, and milk at one time. This way, you only have to open the door once.
- If you have a hard time remembering what you stock in your fridge, keep a list of what's inside posted on the refrigerator door.
- Raise the front legs so that your refrigerator doors close automatically. If your fridge or freezer door are prone to sitting open, or if they swing wide open while you're moving food in and out, this easily can raise the humidity levels inside your appliance, causing ice to build up. Ask another person to help you pull the fridge out about from the wall. Have your partner tilt the top of the fridge backward, toward the wall, to expose the front 2 feet. While they hold it in this position, twist the legs counterclockwise. Unscrew the legs slightly to make them a little taller. This way, gravity will encourage the doors to shut.[2]
- Once you've tweaked the legs, open the doors and see if gravity help them close naturally. If not, repeat this process to lift the front legs even higher.
- When you're done, return the fridge back to its original spot.
- Tighten the door hinges if they're loose. Loose hinges on your fridge or freezer doors will result in an incomplete seal; this will increase the humidity inside your appliance which may result in ice buildup. If you notice that the door or the screws on the hinges are wobbly, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws by turning them clockwise. Keep tightening them until they don't spin around anymore.[3]
- Depending on the type of fridge you have, you may have to lift off a plastic cover to expose the hinges.
- Wipe down the seals around the inside of each door to remove any residue. If the seals lining your fridge or freezer doors are caked with food residue or ice crystals, they won't close properly. Working on 1 door at a time, use a damp cleaning cloth and mild dish soap to quickly scrub the inside of the seal. Clean off the frame of the fridge opening, as well, to ensure that the seal can sit flush against it. Use a dry towel to wipe off any remaining moisture and then shut the door.[4]
- Make sure you don't leave any moisture behind, as it might form an ice crystal.
- Replace a damaged door seal, or gasket, with a new one.[5] Look at the flexible rubber seal on the inside of your fridge and freezer doors. These are called refrigerator gaskets. If either one appears to be damaged, replace it to ensure that your appliance's doors close completely. Contact your fridge manufacturer to order a replacement gasket. Once you have it, unplug your appliance and move all of the perishable items to coolers. Unscrew the damaged gasket and then screw the new one into place.[6]
- Make sure you know your appliance's model number; you'll need this in order to get the right replacement part.
- Test out the seal of your new gasket before you turn the fridge back on and start loading it up. It should sit flush against the frame of the fridge or freezer opening without any gaps.
[Edit]Keeping Your Fridge Tidy - Move bulky food items away from the cooling mechanisms. While your fridge or freezer is running, place your hand inside to locate the cold air source. This is usually along the back wall of the appliance. If this area is blocked by a dense arrangement of food items, move these out of the way. Leave some open space around the cooling mechanism so that the air can flow around.[7]
- Don't block any of the vents with bulky freezer boxes or bags. Keep these items further away from the sides and walls of your appliance.
- Avoid over-filling your fridge and freezer. An overstuffed appliance will restrict the airflow and may trap cold air in certain pockets, which could result in frosty patches. Store items in the designated drawers and spots, with fruits in the crisping drawers, meat in the meat drawers, butter in the butter tray, and condiments in the narrow shelves inside the door. Use fridge organizers and bins to keep your appliance organized and clutter-free.[8]
- Take a few minutes each week to check your fridge for old or expired items. Toss these out as soon as they go bad to make space for fresh foods.
- Clean off the vents every 6 months to ensure proper air circulation. Dirty, clogged vents can lead to airflow issues and ice buildup. About twice a year, unscrew the vents from the inside of your refrigerator. Use a bristle brush, warm water, and mild dish soap to scrub away any dust, dirt, and food residue. Dry them off completely before replacing them.[9]
- Shut off your appliance and transfer perishable foods to a cooler before you disassemble the vents.
- Wash out the inside of your fridge about twice a year. Before cleaning your fridge, take everything out of your fridge and store the perishable items in a cooler temporarily. Use a dry sheet of paper towel to brush out any crumbs and food residue. Follow up by scrubbing down the shelves and insides using a warm, soapy cleaning cloth. Dry off the surfaces before returning all of your food items.[10]
- If you notice any spills or crumbs, wipe these up as soon as possible so they don't form ice crystals.
- Vacuum the condenser coils at the back of your fridge twice a year.[11] Turn off your fridge and stash the perishable items in coolers. Pull out your appliance far enough from the wall so that you can easily access the back. Use a soft bristle brush attachment to vacuum the dust and debris off of the coils. Then, return your fridge to its usual spot.[12]
- Move the vacuum attachment in the direction of the coils so you don't dent them.
- Clean the coils more frequently if you have pets whose hair might end up behind your refrigerator.
- Depending on the fridge model you have, the condenser coils may be located below or on top of the appliance. Check the user manual to see how you can access these coils.
[Edit]Eliminating Ice Buildup - Keep your refrigerator set at and your freezer at . Adjust the dials inside your appliance so that each section stays consistently at these temperatures. This way, your food will be stored safely and you won't encourage any excess ice buildup in your refrigerator. Avoid setting your fridge to any colder settings as you might encourage frost.[13]
- Use an appliance thermometer to check the temperatures inside your fridge and freezer.
- Melt away ice crystals with hot water and a cleaning cloth.[14] Saturate a cleaning cloth or sponge with hot water. Hold the damp cloth directly on top of any ice buildup or frost. Press down on it gently to warm up the ice below. If the cloth starts to get cold, soak it in some more hot water and reapply it to the frost. Continue this process until the frost melts away completely.[15]
- Use a paper towel or a dry cleaning cloth to soak up any moisture before you close your fridge.
- Use a bristle brush or kitchen utensil to dislodge tougher ice crystals. If you're having trouble getting ice patches to melt away with hot water, use a brush with medium or stiff bristles to scrape away the solid chunks of ice. Or, try knocking the pieces of frost off with a sturdy wooden spoon. Once you've dislodged the frost, sweep up the fallen ice crystals into a bowl and tip them into the kitchen sink where they can melt.[16]
- Avoid using a sharp object to chip away at the frozen buildup; you may risk damaging the inside of your refrigerator.[17]
- Modern-day refrigerators are designed so that you shouldn't have to defrost them. However, older appliances may need to be defrosted periodically.[18]
- If you're having issues with a new refrigerator that's still under warranty, contact the manufacturer to schedule a repair service.[19]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Succeed in Your Final Interview Posted: 13 Jun 2021 01:00 AM PDT You've made it to the last round of interviews for your dream job! How do you seal the deal? After all, this is the stage where you and the interviewer are making a final decision on whether or not you're a good fit for the company. With the right prep and strategies, you can go into that last round calm, collected, and confident! From preparation to following up after the meeting, we'll walk you through the best tips and tricks to succeed at your final interview. [Edit]Do practice interviews. - Talk through answers to common interview questions. Ask a friend or family member to practice giving you sample interview questions until you feel comfortable.[1] Alternatively, practice talking through your answers while looking at yourself in the mirror or recording yourself.[2]
- Practice elaborating on your strengths and describing your weaknesses.
- Practice answering questions on why you'd like to work at that particular company.
- Also, think about how your past roles help you be a good fit for this position.[3]
[Edit]Use the STAR method to answer interview questions. - Organize your answers to common interview questions in four parts. The situation-task-action-results (STAR) method allows you to avoid rambling and give clear answers that demonstrate your capabilities. You can use this strategy for most interview questions about your past work experience or questions that ask about a time when you demonstrated a particular quality. Keep your answers short and succinct (around 2 minutes long). Check out the example for answering "Tell me about a time when you showed leadership."[4][5]
- Situation: "When I worked at [company], I managed a team of five contractors for a 10-week project."
- Task: "I delegated weekly project tasks and trained up newer team members on company standards."
- Action: "I set regular deadlines and check ins to keep everyone on track and on the same page."
- Result: "The client was so happy with the end result my team produced, they've since hired our firm 3 more times."
[Edit]Research the company and interviewer beforehand. - Find common ground by researching your interviewer's background. Look at the company's bio page, or a professional site like LinkedIn to find out how long they've been with the company, their career path, and interests. Having that knowledge will allow you to share common interests to make a great first connection, especially if you're now interviewing with a senior-level employee.[6]
[Edit]Determine average compensation for the role. - Go into the interview with a salary number in mind. That way, you'll have a well-informed idea of what you're looking for in a potential offer. To find typical compensation for the role, search online for average salaries at the company or average salaries for that particular type of role within the industry.[7] If your interviewer asks what you expect for a salary, don't give the first number, or you might end up giving yourself away at a discount.[8]
- "I'd like to get a little more information on your typical compensation package and benefits so I can give a more informed answer."
- "I know salary and benefit packages stack up differently in this industry. What is your company's typical compensation for this role?"
[Edit]Wear the right professional attire. - Dress slightly more formally than company employees' daily clothing. For instance, if you're a man and you've seen male employees wear short-sleeve polos and khakis to work, wear a nice button-down shirt. If you're a woman and you've noticed the female employees wear nice dresses to work, wear a dress and pair it with a blazer, or wear a nice blouse and trousers.[9]
- Keep your hair, nails, and facial hair neat and clean. Go for minimalist makeup and accessories.
- Choose non-distracting patterns for your ties, shirts, dresses, accessories etc.
- Adapt your outfit to the industry in which you're applying. For instance, you likely won't wear a suit to a construction site, and you may not want to follow the conservative pattern and colors rule if you're applying for a design job in a creative industry.
[Edit]Arrive early so you don't have to rush. - Show up 10-15 minutes before the interview. Even if you've been to the location before, planning for an extra fifteen minutes gives you buffer time for traffic, slow elevators, and checking in at reception.[10]
[Edit]Greet the interviewer with professional enthusiasm. - Use a strong handshake, make eye contact, and smile.[11] Remember the professionalism that got you to this final round and greet any new interviewers with those same strategies for a good first impression.
- Even if you've met the interviewer before, don't get too comfortable. Maintain the same level of energy and decorum you had in your first round interviews.[12]
[Edit]Be prepared to talk about your career goals. - Show commitment in answering "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"[13] With that question, interviewers are trying to gauge your attitude towards work and filter out candidates who only want to use the job as a quick stepping stone.[14]
- First, talk about the next 2-3 years: "I want to continually improve my [skills listed in the job description] knowledge and look for opportunities to maximize my contribution to the department."[15]
- Then, talk about the next 5-10 years: "After that, I'd love to be able to learn about other areas of the company including [other departments], exchanging expertise, to continue contributing to the company's overall mission."[16]
[Edit]Come up with an answer for what you'd do first if hired. - Describe four things you'd do as a new employee. In the final interview, hiring managers will often ask, "What's your plan for the first few months after starting this job?" Try this four-part approach below to demonstrate willingness to learn, eagerness to be a part of company culture, and capability to take initiative.[17]
- Part 1: "I'd get a briefing from my supervisor to understand the immediate challenges and aims of the company."
- Part 2: "I'd get to know my colleagues and their roles."
- Part 3: "I'd learn all company procedures and best practices to make sure I'm working as effectively as possible within the team."
- Part 4: "I'd choose a project or task to work on in addition to my normal responsibilities."
- Interviewers might ask for a 30-60-90 day plan. Divide your answer into three parts: learning about company goals and aims, digesting what you've learned about the company in order accomplish tasks, and delivering results.[18]
[Edit]Ask questions about the job's day-to-day responsibilities. - The right questions can give you key information about the role. By the final round of interviews, you've probably learned about the company and the role. Now it's time to ask questions about what it would be like to work there.[19] After all, interviewing is a two-way street, and you want to decide if the company's a good fit for you![20]
- "How would you describe the company culture?"
- "How do you evaluate success here?"
- "What do you think will be most challenging about this role?"
- "What does a typical day look like in this role?"[21]
- "What do you like best about working here?"
[Edit]Inquire about the next steps. - As the interview ends, get a clear picture of when you'll hear back. If the interviewer doesn't tell you a date when they expect to have chosen someone, it's good to ask. As you ask about next steps, thank the interviewer, and make sure to reaffirm your enthusiasm about the opportunity.[22]
- "Thanks so much for all the information you've given me. I'm really excited about this role. When do you expect to make a hiring decision?"
- For a more proactive approach, offer to follow up by saying, "When should I follow up with you on your hiring decision?"[23]
[Edit]Send a thank you email. - Thank the interviewer to show enthusiasm and courtesy. As soon as possible after the interview, write a brief email thanking the interviewer for their time and expressing your interest in the position. Bring up one or two things you learned from the interviewer about the organization.[24]
- Address the email with "Dear (Hiring Manager's Name)."
- Start by explicitly thank the interviewer: "Thank you so much for your time today and for the opportunity to learn more about the Program Supervisor position."
- Mention something specific from the interview: "I was particularly inspired by hearing how the different backgrounds of Bax & Sons employees create such a dynamic and educational working environment, one I would sincerely like to join."
- Conclude the email with "I look forward to hearing from you." Close the email with "Best," "Sincerely," or "Thank you." Put your name on the line below the closing along with a phone number.
[Edit]Follow up again if you don't hear back. - One week after the hiring decision date, send another email. Wait at least a week after the date the hiring manager gave you, because they may have made an offer to someone else (who may turn down the offer). Keep your email brief. Express your interest in the role again, and ask if they've made a decision.[25]
- Start your email like this: "Dear [Hiring Manager's name], I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to follow up on my [date] interview for the [role]."
- Ask directly for news: "I'm writing to see if you have any news about that position."
- End the email by expressing eagerness: "In our last talk, I particularly enjoyed learning about [aspect of the company] and am really excited about the possibility of working with you."
- Offer to provide more information: "Please let me know if you need any additional information."
[Edit]Let the hiring manager know if you get another offer. - Email the hiring manager before the decision date. They may make you an offer faster if they know they might lose you to another company.[26]
- Start the email by expressing interest: "Dear [Hiring Manager's name], I so enjoyed learning more about [Company A] and I am still very interested in the [title] position."
- Mention the new offer: "Since we spoke, I've received an offer from [Company B]. However, I am still very interested in working at [Company A]."
- Ask for more information: "Please let me know any news regarding your hiring decision as I continue to evaluate the offer I'm considering. Thank you."
[Edit]Seek out feedback even if you don't get the job. - Use the experience to grow professionally. Send a feedback request email in response to a rejection email or if you know the company has chosen someone else.[27]
- Start the email by expressing thanks: "Dear [Hiring Manager's name], Although I'm disappointed to hear you selected another candidate, I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn more about your company through the interview process."
- Express how much you value feedback: "As I'm new to the job search/field/industry, your feedback is really valuable as I continue to grow professionally."
- Ask directly for feedback: "If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate if you could please let me know any suggestions you have for how I can better present myself to employers in the future. Thank you."
- In a final round, you may be asked to a lunch or dinner interview. Don't order anything too expensive, and avoid ordering alcohol.[28]
[Edit]References |
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