Recipe: Grilled corn with tequila-lime butter

Grilled corn with tequila-lime butter

Total time: 1 hour, plus chilling time for the butter

Servings: 8

Note: This butter can be made a day ahead and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature

3/4 teaspoon minced, seeded jalapeño

1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest (about 4 Mexican limes)

1 teaspoon lime juice (about 1 Mexican lime)

1 teaspoon tequila

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 unshucked ears corn

1. Make the tequila-lime butter. Beat the butter, jalapeño and lime zest in a bowl until creamy. Beat in the lime juice and tequila. The mixture should be very soft, but there should be no liquid showing; if you want, add a little more tequila. Beat in the cilantro and salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The mixture should be very forceful (it will be much milder when spread over the corn), but it should be evenly balanced between lime, butter and salt. Add more salt, lime or tequila as needed.

2. Spoon the butter onto a sheet of plastic wrap in the shape of a log and roll it into a cylinder. Twist the ends of the plastic wrap in opposite directions to firm the cylinder and roll it gently on the counter to eliminate any air pockets in the center. Refrigerate until ready to use. (Recipe can be prepared to this point a couple of days in advance).

3.. Soak the ears of corn in water to cover for at least 30 minutes before grilling.

4. Grill the corn over a medium-hot fire until the kernels inside are golden and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the husks and most of the silk will come with them; rub off what little might remain. Slice the butter into discs and pass alongside the hot corn.

Each serving: 191 calories; 3 grams protein; 19 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 13 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 31 mg. cholesterol; 6 grams sugar; 162 mg. sodium.