Elote Loco - Salvadoran Grilled Corn

El Salvador is the smallest of the Central American republics, and it’s easy to imagine the aroma of corn caramelizing over hot coals wafting from one end of the country to the other. Spreading the ears with a very typical, tangy, crazy-loco sauce gives them verve.

Yield:

Serves 12

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2. 1/4 cup mayonnaise
3. 1/4 cup ketchup (optional)
4. 12 ears corn in husks
5. 1 1/2 cups coarsely grated queso blanco (5 1/2 oz) or Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

1. Prepare grill for indirect-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas)
2. Stir together mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup (if using).
3. Pull back husk of each ear of corn, leaving it attached (like a handle), and tie back with a strip of husk. Discard silk.
4. Arrange corn on grill with cobs over coals (or over medium-high heat for gas) and husks over area with no coals (or over turned-off burner for gas). Grill, in batches if necessary, covered only if using a gas grill, turning occasionally, until ears are well-browned and tender, about 10 minutes.
5. Serve corn brushed with mustard mixture and sprinkled with cheese.

Notes

Corn can be cooked in a hot 2-burner grill pan over medium heat; about 15 minutes.