Recipes

Sweet Corn Chaat

Serves 4-6

| Prep Time: 2 min

| Cook Time: 20 mins

| Total Time: 22 mins

You may need: Chaat Masala

Discover The Recipe

In India, 'Chaat' is a word that describes a set of savory-spiced snacks that are ubiquitous throughout the country from street carts to restaurants to the home dinner table. Chaats represent a category of food that can be enjoyed as a quick bite, a standalone meal, or as a series of small plates cobbled together for a full meal. Similar to the idea of Spanish Tapas, there is a wide variety of recipes and ingredients that can be made into chaats. They're often a combination of crunchy fried legumes like chickpeas, vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or fresh fruit (try our fresh fruit chaat recipe!). The common thread is that they are all dusted with a magical spice blend called Chaat Masala, which elevates the snack to another level by adding an irresistible combination of sweet, salty, sour, and umami tastes.

Make this BBQ corn on the cob recipe (or char broiled if you use the oven) to take advantage of fresh picked corn at the height of summer harvest in North America. It only takes 20 minutes to prepare and the chaat masala with fresh lime elevates sweet corn to an exotic sweet-sour that will surely please. We make our Chaat Masala salt-free, so add salt to your liking for a more authentic taste.

Ingredients

  • 4-6 ears of fresh sweet corn (unshucked)

  • 1 tbsp Piquant Post Chaat Masala spice + extra for sprinkling

  • 1 lime, sliced into wedges

  • salt & pepper to taste (optional)

  • 1/3 cup of cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

Notes

We find that microwaving the corn cobs in their husks before grilling greatly speeds the process and produces perfect results. Take care when removing husks after microwaving as the steam will be hot!

The tartness of Chaat Masala comes from “Amchoor” powder, made from dried green (unripened) mangoes.

Lastly, optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

Microwave ears of corn on High for 5-7 mins. Remove corn from microwave to a plate and let sit for 2 mins. Using a towel, potholder or oven mitts, gently shuck corn taking care not to burn your fingers on the corn or from the steam inside the leaves. (note: microwaving corn before grilling helps speed the cooking process. If just grilling, adjust cooking time.)

Pre-heat grill to high. If using an oven instead of the grill, pre-heat Broiler to High.

Cook corn cobs on the grill for ~12 mins, rotating every 4 mins. (if using the oven to char, place corn on a wire rack 6 inches from Broiler. Watching the corn carefully, broil corn for 6-9 mins rotating every 2-3 mins per side. You want a light char. Do not burn corn).

Serve ears of corn on a platter. Sprinkle each ear with Chaat Masala spice blend, salt & pepper (optional) fresh cilantro, and fresh-squeezed lime juice from wedges.

Alternatives & Substitutions

  • Since freshly-picked sweet corn is irresistible when in-season, we have you use corn on the cob. But you can easily slice the corn off the cob, dust with chaat masala, and eat with a fork.

  • If corn is not at the height of season, you can use frozen or canned (plain) corn and make a quick succotash using corn, drained canned chickpeas, and diced red bell pepper. Simply microwave in a covered bowl with 1 tbsp water for 2 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with chaat masala.

  • Chaat masala is a tremendously versatile blend. Try it on just about any dish where you want to add a savory-sweet-sour flavor. Some alternate ideas for inspiration: try sprinkling it on a grilled cheese sandwich, fried zucchini strips, popcorn, or baked sweet potato fries.

  • Or, try making your own authentic papdi chaats!

  • Don't forget to make our wonderful fresh fruit chaat, Cauliflower Chaat recipes, or if you eat meat, try our Chicken Chaat with Yogurt and Chutney.

  • Don't forget to leave comments and feedback on your meals and experiments in the comments for others to read.

  • Post pictures of your masterpiece meal on social media and tag us. We repost!

Sweet Corn Chaat

Serves

4-6

Prep Time

2 min

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

22 mins

Piquant Post spice you'll need: Chaat Masala

Ingredients

  • 4-6 ears of fresh sweet corn (unshucked)

  • 1 tbsp Piquant Post Chaat Masala spice + extra for sprinkling

  • 1 lime, sliced into wedges

  • salt & pepper to taste (optional)

  • 1/3 cup of cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped

Instructions

  1. Microwave ears of corn on High for 5-7 mins. Remove corn from microwave to a plate and let sit for 2 mins. Using a towel, potholder or oven mitts, gently shuck corn taking care not to burn your fingers on the corn or from the steam inside the leaves. (note: microwaving corn before grilling helps speed the cooking process. If just grilling, adjust cooking time.)

  2. Pre-heat grill to high. If using an oven instead of the grill, pre-heat Broiler to High.

  3. Cook corn cobs on the grill for ~12 mins, rotating every 4 mins. (if using the oven to char, place corn on a wire rack 6 inches from Broiler. Watching the corn carefully, broil corn for 6-9 mins rotating every 2-3 mins per side. You want a light char. Do not burn corn).

  4. Serve ears of corn on a platter. Sprinkle each ear with Chaat Masala spice blend, salt & pepper (optional) fresh cilantro, and fresh-squeezed lime juice from wedges.

Notes

  • We find that microwaving the corn cobs in their husks before grilling greatly speeds the process and produces perfect results. Take care when removing husks after microwaving as the steam will be hot!

  • The tartness of Chaat Masala comes from “Amchoor” powder, made from dried green (unripened) mangoes.

  • Lastly, optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

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