Bacon Maple Butter

Cook bacon until crisp; drain on a plate lined with paper towel. When cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon into 1/8-1/4 inch pieces.

Use a fork to lightly mash the butter; stir in the bacon and maple syrup. Place on a piece of plastic wrap and roll to form into a log. Twist the ends of the wrap to secure and refrigerate until the butter holds its shape. To serve, cut into pats.

Smokey, Hot and Sweet Butter

Use a fork to lightly mash the butter; stir in the chipotle, lime juice and zest and agave or honey. Place on a piece of plastic wrap and roll to form into a log. Twist the ends of the wrap to secure and refrigerate until the butter holds its shape. To serve, cut into pats.

How to Boil Corn

Fill the pot with enough cold water to barely cover the corn and bring it to a boil. Don’t salt the water—it toughens the corn!

While the water comes to a boil, shuck the ears over a big paper bag. Don’t shuck in advance – it toughens the corn (and robs it of sugars)!

Drop the cobs in the water, and as soon as it comes back to a boil, the corn is ready to come out. Don’t overcook the corn—it gets tough!