Corn on the cob - grilled with chili and basil butter!

Corn on the cob or simply mealies as we refer to them here in South Africa, is another perfect example of street food that you might find on your travels here in this multi-cultured country of ours. As I have written in previous posts, corn or mealies are staples amongst our people and for many just a plain serving of pap (pronounced:pup) is the sum total of their day's food...and then they consider themselves the lucky ones. However, corn on the cob, served with melted butter for us is such a luxury....The soccer fever is unbelievable and last Saturday we got to go into the underbelly of the

Cape Town Soccer stadium and it was unbelievable to...



to think that something so large was put together so beautifully. Tourists are already starting to stream in and with a little more than 20 days to go I look forward to meeting some of you while you visit our beautiful country.

As a child I knew very little about the nutritional benefits of this delicious treat, I just knew that I would trade a chococolate bar for a mealie any day. Whenever we had a traditional South African Braai, there would always be a pot of corn boiling somewhere in the background. I don't recall my mom or my gran ever telling me how long I was supposed to cook the corn or mealies , but they always said that if you can smell it, it is ready! That smell, dear readers still brings my family to the kitchen from all corners of the house and for me...well, it takes me back to a time that was far less complicated than now...  There are people trying to convince me that cooking corn or mealies in the microwave oven is quicker with the same sweet results. Maybe, they have a point, but there is something comforting about that pot of mealies on the stove. Recently I have started to grill the mealies while basting it with different flavored butters. Last night I made chili and basil butter to have with our mealies and I  must say, it is the best mealies I have ever had!

Before I go onto the recipe, a few nutritional facts. 



Yellow sweet corn contains Lutein, which is good for healthy vision and a healthy cardiovascular system.

Corn also adds folate to our diets.





Corn on the cob - grilled with Chili and Basil Butter



4 large ears of corn on the cob



Chili and basil butter



125 gr butter

1 large chili

5 large basil leaves

1 clove garlic - crushed

salt/pepper



Peel back the husks from the corn, leaving them attached at the base. Remove silky hair from corn and discard. Fold husks back over corn and tie with a piece of string to keep closed. Some people say you must soak the corn in water for a couple of hours..well, I did not and I think the result was still perfect. Heat your grill, BBQ or griddle pan until hot and place the corn on the grill. 



In a food processor, add all the ingredients for the butter and puilse until well blended. Use for basting the corn while grilling.



Turn the corn frequently while grilling, all the time basting the corn. Serve with more of that delicious butter as a side dish to a BBQ or as a wholsome vegetarian supper!





Due to a massive hardware melt down,I have been a terrible blogger in the last few weeks. Thank goodness for back ups. I have not comented on your sites for ages, but I do read most of the blogs in my phone reader, it is just that sometimes life happens and then you have to deal with it. I hope to be in full flight with you all again soon!