By Luc got his learner's permit. He walked out of the DMV holding the temporary card like it was the Magna Carta, and Danielle turned to me with an expression that combined pride, terror, and the actuarial calculation of our insurance premium increase. "He's going to drive our truck," Danielle said. "Over my dead body," I said. "Then what's he going to drive?" "Your car." "My car?" "It's smaller and slower." "Tommy, my car is a COROLLA." "Exactly."
The first driving lesson happened in the church parking lot on Sunday after mass. Luc behind the wheel of the Corolla. Me in the passenger seat. Danielle opted out ("I can't watch") and took the younger two for ice cream, which was either considerate or cowardly, depending on your perspective. Luc drove laps around the parking lot at 8 miles per hour with the focus of a man defusing a bomb. He braked too hard. He turned too wide. He overcorrected. He stalled once (the Corolla is automatic; I'm still not sure how). And at the end of thirty minutes, he pulled into a parking space — crooked, but in the space — and looked at me and said, "Not bad, right?" And I said, "Not bad, cher." And it wasn't. It was terrifying and beautiful and exactly what a first lesson should be: imperfect, alive, moving forward.
Made a celebration dinner: fried catfish and hush puppies. The Friday fish fry, because some milestones deserve the fish fry and a learner's permit is one of them. Luc ate more than usual, which I attribute to the adrenaline of having operated a motor vehicle for the first time and the relief of not having hit anything. Danielle said a prayer before dinner — not her usual quick grace, but a real one, involving specific requests regarding Luc's spatial awareness and brake-pedal timing. The family said amen. God said amen, presumably.
Any proper Friday fish fry needs its supporting cast, and at our table, Corn with a Kick earns its spot right next to the catfish every single time — the heat wakes you up the same way a first driving lesson does. I made it that night because a milestone that big deserves a full spread, something loud and celebratory on the plate to match the adrenaline still radiating off of Luc from that church parking lot. If you’re going to say grace with specific requests about brake-pedal timing, you might as well sit down to a table that rises to the occasion.
Corn with a Kick
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 15 min | Total Time: 25 min | Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh corn, husked
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Make the spiced butter. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper until fully combined. Set aside.
- Cook the corn. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the husked corn ears and cook for 8–10 minutes, until tender. Alternatively, grill the corn over medium-high heat for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly charred.
- Coat while hot. Remove corn from heat and immediately brush or spread the spiced butter generously over each ear, turning to coat all sides evenly. The heat of the corn will melt the butter right in.
- Garnish and serve. Arrange on a platter, sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley if using, and serve with lime wedges alongside for squeezing. Best eaten immediately while still warm.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 180 | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 25g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 210mg