What is baby corn? glossary, uses, recipes, benefits

Baby corn, often seen as a delightful, tender vegetable in the Indian context, refers to immature corn ears harvested before pollination, while the kernels are still very small and soft. Unlike mature corn, it's entirely edible, including the cob, which offers a slight crunch. In India, baby corn is a relatively newer addition to the culinary landscape compared to staples like potatoes or peas, gaining popularity due to its mild flavor, versatile nature, and appealing texture. It's not typically grown on a large scale for staple consumption like regular corn but rather as a specialty vegetable.

The uses of baby corn across India have diversified significantly over the past few decades, moving beyond just Indo-Chinese cuisine to become a favored ingredient in various dishes. In urban areas and modern Indian kitchens, it's a popular choice for stir-fries, appetizers, and curries. It readily absorbs flavors, making it excellent for spicy gravies or light sautéed preparations. Its mild sweetness and crisp texture add a unique dimension to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, reflecting its growing acceptance in the diverse Indian culinary scene.

Several recipe examples showcase baby corn's versatility in Indian cooking. It's famously used in Baby Corn Manchurian, a popular Indo-Chinese appetizer, where crispy fried baby corn is tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce. Another common preparation is Baby Corn Masala or Baby Corn Curry, where it's cooked in a rich, flavorful gravy often with onions, tomatoes, and various spices. It also finds its way into mixed vegetable stir-fries, pulaos, and even as a topping for pizzas and sandwiches, demonstrating its adaptability to modern tastes.

Beyond its culinary appeal, baby corn offers several benefits. It's a low-calorie vegetable, making it a good choice for those managing their weight. It's also a source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety. While not as rich in nutrients as some other vegetables, it provides some vitamins (like Vitamin A and C in smaller amounts) and minerals. Its crisp texture contributes to a satisfying mouthfeel, adding variety to meals without significantly increasing caloric intake.

The increasing demand for baby corn in India can also be attributed to its convenience. It requires minimal preparation, as there's no need to de-kernel or peel, unlike mature corn. This makes it a time-saving option for busy households and restaurants. Its ability to blend well with various spice profiles and cooking methods further contributes to its popularity, allowing chefs and home cooks to experiment easily and incorporate it into diverse Indian and fusion dishes.

In summary, baby corn has successfully carved out its niche in the Indian context as a versatile, tender, and subtly sweet vegetable. Its easy integration into a myriad of Indian recipes, from popular Indo-Chinese dishes to traditional curries, combined with its health benefits and convenience, solidifies its place as a favored ingredient across the country.

How to select baby corn

Check for freshness when you hold the cob. It should be firm yet tender to touch. You can purchase them fresh in bunches or buy branded canned baby corn from super markets.

Culinary Uses of baby corn in Indian Cooking

Indo-Chinese baby corn appetisers like Baby Corn Fritters, Crispy Fried Vegetables with Burnt Garlic and Chilli Baby Corn are not only quick and easy to make but also, tongue-tickling. The addition of parboiled baby-corn, adds a good crunch to stir fries. The seasonings/sauces can be adjusted as per your preference.

Indian recipes using  sliced baby corn |

paneer bean sprouts and spring onion soup recipe | paneer vegetable soup | healthy Indian cottage cheese soup with vegetables | Sometimes, some soups taste so heavenly you cannot believe they do not have any butter or cream in them! The Paneer, Bean Sprouts and Spring Onion Soup is one such simple yet pleasing soup made without adding any unnecessary fat. It is enriched with paneer and bean sprouts, making it an excellent source of protein. Using low-fat paneer reduces the fat content of the recipe.

paneer and broccoli stir fry recipe | paneer vegetable stir fry | healthy Indian cottage cheese stir fry with spring onions and sprouts is a power packed delicacy. Learn how to make paneer vegetable stir fry.
A colourful assortment of vegetables tossed lightly with cottage cheese and onion seeds, this healthy Indian cottage cheese stir fry with spring onions and sprouts is a delicious source of fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, phosphorus and calcium. You can build immunity and strengthen bones both with this delicacy.

Chinese recipes using baby corn

vegetable chow mein recipe | Chinese veg chow mein | Indian style vegetable chowmein | with 32 amazing images.

vegetable chow mein is one of the gems of Chinese cuisine, well known across the world! Indian style vegetable chowmein is not a very complex dish but has a very interesting mix of textures and flavours, which is sure to intrigue your senses. 
 

curry recipes using sliced baby corn

Thai green curry recipe | Indian style Thai green curry | veg Thai green curry | with 24 amazing images. 

vegetarian Thai green curry recipe | Indian style Thai green curry | 

We present you the Vegetarian Thai Green Currywhich is traditionally a non veg Thai curry. All ingredients for this Veg Thai Curry are easily available in India. 

· It can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw, it is eaten as salads. Serve raw with other vegetables along with a dip of your choice. However most recipes use cooked baby corn. The best way to cook baby corn would be to blanch it and use in recipes. However note that baby corn doesnt take much time for cooking and whether used blanched or directly stir fried, the texture and the firmness (crunch) remains the same. To blanch baby corn, add the baby corn to a pot of boiling water and allow boiling for 15 seconds. Remove and place in cold water. This will prevent "carry over" cooking. Drain off the water and use as required.

· Since it is used mostly in Asian cooking and specifically in Chinese cooking, you will find it in schezuan stir fries, starters, gravies and so on. Dip baby corn in oriental batter and deep fry. Serve with Chinese sauces. Alternatively use it in gravy dishes like baby corn Manchurian etc.

· In Indian cuisine, you can enhance the taste of kadhai and tandoori dishes using this ingredient.

· Since it cooks easily, it is a common ingredient in stir fries, pastas, pizzas, quiche, savoury tarts etc.

· Use it in broths and other soups to add variety to your recipe.

How to store baby corn

Store in freeze bags or zip lock bags and place in the fridge diction of your refrigerator. However, it is best used fresh. To store cooked baby corn, place cling film on the container in which you have placed the baby corn and use within a day.

Health benefits of baby corn

Since baby corn are picked much before the maturing stage, they hold a lower starch content. ½ cup baby corn adds in only 6.7 g of carbs, which is relatively low.  Baby corn acts as a broom and helps maintain healthy bowels and avoid constipation as it is a good source of fiber. Keep an eye on the portion size always for  diabetics, that’s very important to have controlled amount of starch per day. Those with cardiac problems have no reason to avoid baby corn. The soluble fiber in baby corn can help in reducing cholesterol levels. See detailed benefits of baby corn.