Popcorn. One of those things you just gotta ave when watching movies...or other stuff. Hanging out on the porch is nice with a treat like popcorn, especially if you're making holiday decorations by stringing popcorn and cranberries into garlands. Here in Arizona the weather is often nice enough to do this out on the porch, in the yard or on the lawn so the mess gets cleaned up by the birds. It's nice to snack on while playing games. Popcorn is something even kids can master, no matter how you make it.
Yes, I guess you can just pop one of those bags into the microwave and nuke it, but where's the fun and tradition in that? Besides, it's just as fast to do it on the stove...and you know what's in it and it's fresh. The chickens don't mind, though, since they'll eat anything they can catch.
Then there's the old standby popcorn ready-to-pop in a foil pan with carefully folded/swirled expandable foil on top. We used to take these camping or make them at a cabin on vacation. Brings back fabulous childhood memories! Even if it's not as good as pan-made, it's special.
You probably know it's name and may even have fond memories similar to my own. Follow the directions, keep it moving while it's on the burner and growing so the popcorn doesn't scorch. Ignore the stovetop, I'm on vacation!
When it's as done as it's going to get put it on a trivet, pot holder or towel on the table and make sure to use a fork or other utensil to open it! That steam can be nasty-owie!
Serve right out of the foil in front of the TV, while telling ghost stories in front of the fireplace or just regular chatting on the porch enjoying nature and a sunset. Mmm! The taste is unique and reminds me of a campfire even though I just made this on my kitchen stove. There were a lot of old maids in the bottom, though. Maybe I should've popped it a bit longer.
Overall the best popcorn (in my opinion) is made in a pan. Simple, quick, few ingredients and you know what's in it. Besides, you made it yourself and what's better than that? In a 2 quart saucepan, over medium high heat, melt a Tablespoon of butter or heat a Tbs of vegetable oil, margarine, shortening or bacon fat in a pan. Have the well-fitting top ready, you don't want to be looking for it when stuff starts popping!
Have a few Tablespoons of butter melted on the side so it's ready when you are.
Add 1/4 c corn kernels, brand of your choice, to the bottom. It'll make a nice layer on the bottom. If you put in a little more, that's OK...as long as you don't have more than a layer of single kernels. This stuff REALLY expands!
Now put the top on, hold it in place and start shaking, keeping the pan in contact with the burner. In a minute you'll hear a POP! Then another. Then a couple...and soon POP*POP*POP*POP*POP*!!!! Keep shaking the pan until the popping slows.
When the popping almost stops take the pan off the heat and put it on a trivet or pot holder on the table. Have a bowl or 2 ready to put the popcorn into. There'll be a lot of steam when you take off the lid so be careful!
Pour some melted butter over the popcorn,
Salt to taste and enjoy. This is the good stuff! Sure, you can share it with the chickens (like I just shared the other 2 batches, after nomming a bit...for comparison sake, of course) but you won't want to. Excuse me while I have a nosh.
*Licks fingers* I'm back. It's good as-is, but you can put a tablespoon of sugar in with the melted butter before you pop the corn for a slightly sweet flavour. Using bacon fat instead of butter to pop the corn makes it taste a bit more like camping. After you've popped the corn you can top it with all kinds of things, too. There's commercial jars of sprinkle stuff to use but who knows what's in that! Put some garlic, paprika or other spices in the melted butter you pour over the popcorn. Finely shredded cheese in the really hot popcorn with hot bitter to help melt it or just sprinkle with Parmesan. Yum! I'm sure you can come up with some wonderful flavours.
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