My father came home with a bundle of different vegetables, but what got my attention specifically was the stack of fresh white corn. I thought he had purchased it on the market, but he said it was from our relatives in Nueva Ecija.
It’s been a while since I last went to that place. Our relatives there love planting different crops based on the season and what vegetables are good to harvest based on the market demand. That is also the place where you can breathe fresh air coming from the green bushes and clear surroundings. Every time we go there, we always have something to bring home. Vegetables, fruits, rice, anything that is available.
Going back, seeing the pale white kernels still wrapped in their husks brought an instant idea to my head. This can be a great snack paired with a combination of salty, milky, and sweet. I love corn. We either love to make it a snack or make it a viand.
If you know what ‘Binatog’ is, this hack is like that, but of course with a twist. It also comes with basic steps: just boil the corn, grate it off the cob, and mix it with salt, sugar, and powdered milk. That’s it! Super simple. Every step will not make you sweat, it is also filled with something more than just preparation. It is like experimenting to satisfy your mouth with a combination of flavors in every spoonful.
The first thing to do is to peel the corn husks slowly. The white corn has a soft and waxy look, it’s totally different from the yellow corn you usually find in the markets being sold. This one has a subtle flavor, not that sweet. It is slightly chewy and, from my perspective, more comforting.
Just boil the corn until it becomes tender. Once they have cooled a bit, you can begin grating them. I used a knife to separate the corn from the cob by inserting it into the cracks of the corn. It’s kind of therapeutic, grinding the corn using your hands. It’s actually messy but fun. I enjoyed doing it, especially since it was raining cats and dogs earlier.
This is what it looks like after grating. It’s just one corn, and it already looks like enough for one person.
Once the plate was full of grated corn, you may now add a pinch of salt. This will enhance the flavor of the corn. But remember to adjust everything to your preference. We don’t want our food to be overly salty or sweet.
Add sugar after that. In my case, I just added 1 tablespoon of sugar due to the proportion of corn in my plate. Don’t mix it yet. You can, but it’s best if you will put all the necessary ingredients first.
Lastly, add the powdered milk to your mixture. One full tablespoon is enough for this serving, but if you want it to be milky and creamier, then add according to your liking.
Look at that! What a mixture, you can definitely see that I put a lot of powdered milk. Actually, you can also add grated cheese if you like; that will surely give this snack a kick. But since we don’t have a stock, I proceeded to mix it thoroughly. Also, add a little bit of water so the condiments can dissolve easily.
Tada! This is the finished product. That creamy texture from the grated kernels, mixed with the powdered milk, is the kind of comfort that doesn’t need an explanation. It looks quite messy, but I will eat it anyway. That’s not a problem.
This has always been one of my favorite things to do whenever we had white corn at home. It’s not fancy. It’s not something you’ll see on a restaurant menu. But it’s deeply personal. It’s that kind of food that reminds you of home, even if you’re miles away.
If you ever get your hands on white corn, try this. Boil it, grate it, pour in some powdered milk, sugar, salt, and if available, the cheese. This taste reminds me of the simplicity of life. It gives a warm feeling that is familiar, even if it’s your first time trying.