diy popcorn

October 31, 2008

For some reason, I got it into my head that making popcorn on the stove top was difficult. Clearly, I was wrong. Not only is it incredibly easy, the taste and fun we had watching it pop in the pot was priceless. How's this for simple...
After some trial and error (and solid internet research), here are a few tips:
  1. Heat the oil with 2-3 kernels in it. When those kernels pop, you know the oil is hot enough to add the rest.
  2. Shake the pot constantly so it doesn't burn.
  3. Use a large pot with a clear lid (if you have one) so you can watch the kernels popping.
  4. Melt a few tablespoons of real butter (the water content is too high in the less fatty versions, which will turn your popcorn to mush) to pour on afterwards.
  5. Use regular old table salt because it sticks to the kernels best (and, if you're like me...use lots).
PS. The smell while it's cooking will surprise you... it's like real corn (!)
 
 
 

15 comments:

Heather | Cookie Mondays said...

Because I love your blog, I left you a little something on mine... Have fun! :)

Karen P said...

yum! looks like you and your kids had lots of fun!

Julie said...

What a good mom you are for showing your kids that popcorn doesn't come from a bag you put in the microwave. I remember as a kid, every friday night my grandma would make popcorn - on the stove, with real butter - and we'd watch movies. Popcorn & 7-Up - that was our treat. Thanks for bringing back great memories. :-)

BEST OF THE NEST said...

This is the way my parents used to make ours as kids- Sooo good!

{evy} said...

It tastes so much better that way! Your photographs are beautiful.

Anonymous said...

thanks, vicki! I gave up on making it on the stove--but i'll try this!

Janice in GA said...

Wow, I had no idea people had forgotten how to cook popcorn on a stove top! But I'm older and remember the time BMP (Before Microwave Popcorn).

One good thing about the stovetop version is that you can make as little or as much as you want. You're not constrained by the pre-measured portions in the microwave bags. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm a stove top popcorn fiend. I eat it so much that I don't always want the decadence of butter. But, without it, it's hard to get the salt to stick. Here's my easy solution: add the salt to the oil when you add the kernels. The popcorn comes out nice and salty without having to add butter! I have also been know to add a couple teaspoon of sugar to the oil, too. The flavor is reminiscent of kettle corn. It requires the perfect temperature to make sure the sugar doesn't burn and LOTS of shaking!!

vicki said...

Brilliant idea to add the salt to the oil! Definitely going to try that.

Janice, I didn't forget... because I never knew how! We had an air popper when I was little but my mom was an early adopter of the microwave :) You don't even want to know how many things went into the microwave at our house (sorry for giving up all your secrets, mom

Unknown said...

Yum! You can also use butter instead of oil when popping, saves you some time and a few calories - and you get instant yummy buttery flavour. You can easily make toffee popcorn on the stove top too, though that won't give you any LESS calories, lol :)

Nguyen Le said...

I made popcorn last night using your tutorial - thanks so much for posting it! I tried making popcorn on the stove a few weeks ago, but ended up burning it because I didn't think to keep shaking the pot. This time was a wonderful success - I drizzled in some honey and had a nice salty/sweet snack!

vicki said...

Thanks Solveig; I wondered if butter would smoke and burn too easily but I'd much prefer it. I am a HUGE fan of butter.

Satsuki Rebel said...

I haven't gotten around to popping my own before but I've been meaning to. Thanks for posting! I featured this today.

Anonymous said...

I love your beautiful kids' faces!:D And the way they put their hands on it:)

We've been making popocorn on the stove for a long, long time now. And it's great!

There is another thing you can do with it. Don't put salt in it and get a big bucket of corn ready. In another pot put 6 spoons of sugar and put it on the stove. Start mixing it until it gets a brown colour. Then pour 4 spoons of milk in it and mix. While it's still hot, pour it onto your popcorn and mix fast.

You will get caramel glazed popocorn:)

Anonymous said...

Finally tried this tonight for movie night. Yum! But oddly enough, I liked it best with no salt OR butter. I think someone needs to take my temperature.

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