Better than Butter

My friend Tracy used to say, "They need to invent some new foods." Tracy, this one's for you.

Ok, it's not exactly a new food, and it's not a single thing I can take credit for. It comes to me from a woman named Reva, who's been living in India the last two years and passed along this staple of Indian street fare.

What makes it doubly exquisite is that it was shared at the house that sealed our decision to move to this neighborhood. Seven years ago, while John and I were knee-deep househunting, our realtor got us an invitation to a local potluck. It was there that we met Dennis, Rachel and Steve, Bruce and Hannah, and countless other amazing folks who gave us an immediate sense of community. A few years later, some friends bought that very house, and it was there on their deck, this past Friday night, that the following tip was gifted to us.

Hopefully there's still a week or so left of seasonal corn. Make it a point to buy a few ears, and don't worry if it's not so sweet anymore. Cook the corn as you normally would, but -- and I know it sounds like a sacrilege -- skip the butter. Instead, mix salt, pepper, and cayenne in desired proportions. Take a lime wedge, dip it in the spices, and squeeze on your ear of corn to distribute. A little more cayenne here or there won't matter. Now: eat.

Tell me that's not one of the best things you've ever tasted.
Just try. I dare you.