Whole baby corn is used as much for its appearance as its delicate corn flavour – perfect, miniature cobs of corn look spectacular in stir-fries, noodle dishes and clear soups. Pair with contrasting textures and colours – straw mushrooms, sliced shiitakes, cloud ears, water chestnuts, red and green peppers, Thai basil – for maximum effect. As with bamboo shoots, first blanching, then shocking with cold water to remove the tinny taste and smell, will improve the end result enormously.