5.28.2013

POPCORN PEOPLE ! // elspeth


Maybe this doesn't need saying. But here goes. POPCORN PEOPLE! Popcorn! Popcorn made at home! You probably all know how to do this already. But I didn't, and I was very happy to make the discovery that I am capable of popping top notch popcorn from the corn we got with our grain & bean CSA share last fall. 

That's not to say I didn't know people made popcorn over campfires and stoves. I did. But I had never tried it, because as with most easy things, it seemed like it might be hard. Also, I haven't had popcorn in a while, and I'd forgotten how delicious it is. So in case you suffer from these same hurdles, I wanted to clear things up. 

Making popcorn at home is not hard. It is ridiculously easy, and what you get tastes much better than what you get at the movie theater or out of a bag. Also, if you make it the way my mom recommends, with a drizzle of olive oil and a little sea salt, it is practically a health food. Popcorn guilt, be gone. 




STOVE-TOP POPCORN

Here's how it happens. Get out a big pot like the one you see up there—make sure you have a lid.  The pan should be cold; not heat on yet. Measure 3-5 tablespoons of olive oil into the bottom of the cold pan. Swirl it around so it coats the entire bottom. Add 1 cup of un-popped popcorn kernels (we had a mix of white and yellow from our CSA; I thought this might be a problem, but they popped evenly). 

Turn the heat onto medium. Shake the pan to coat the kernels evenly with oil, and keep shaking every 15 seconds or so to make sure they heat evenly. Eventually, after 2-4 minutes, the first kernel will pop. When you see this, grab the lid and put it on. The others will follow, and within another 2-3 minutes, you'll hear the noise start to die down. Turn off the heat and let the pan sit covered for another few minutes to let any remaining kernels pop. Then take the top off, drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt to taste, and enjoy!

8 comments :

Bruce L. said...

Elspeth,
Just wondering if you have a gas or electric stove, because when you turn the heat off a gas stove, it's cool pretty much immediately, but with electric, there's a lot of residual heat. Should it be removed from the heat entirely? (Thanks for another great post-- Who knew it was so easy?)

Liz said...

Elspeth, what do you mean, "practically a health food"? Popcorn IS a health food! Papa and I made a fabulous but very light Indian dinner last night and then made a bowl of popcorn to round it out. I've never had popcorn for breakfast, but I've definitely made a lunch or dinner out of it. I bet Sally loved it! ~XO, Mama

Elspeth said...

Hi Bruce,

I have a gas stove...and you're right, this is an important point! With an electric stove you'd want to take it off the burner. Thanks for clarifying!

And Mama,

It's true. And frankly I'm surprised you have never had popcorn for breakfast, knowing how much you like it!

Elspeth said...

Hi Bruce,

I have a gas stove...and you're right, this is an important point! With an electric stove you'd want to take it off the burner. Thanks for clarifying!

And Mama,

It's true. And frankly I'm surprised you have never had popcorn for breakfast, knowing how much you like it!

Lucy said...

Yum! Easy and fun to eat with a beer or two!

Anonymous said...

Waaaaaaay easier:

Need:
lunch bag
stapler
4 oz of kernels
pickling salt
oil

Do:
combine oil, kernels, salt in bag.
1 staple in top of bag
microwave for 2 minutes.


Elspeth said...

That is a great idea! Unfortunately we don't have a microwave...but I'm sure lots of others do!

Daisy said...

Birthday Gifts Delivery Online
car transport in hyderabad
car transport in mumbai
Happy Birthday Gift Delivery

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
All text, photographs, and other original material copyright 2008-2010 by Elspeth Hay unless otherwise noted.