The Best Popcorn

[Pooky]

Put some oil in a pot (enough to make a thin film across the whole pot).
Put lots of salt into pot as well.
Put pot on high-heat stove and put kernels in.
Put about 1/4-1/2 tsp butter in pot along with kernels oil and salt. Shake about.
Cover and when it starts popping keep lid slightly ajar to let steam out.
Immediately after popping has slowed, tip out contents into bowl.
Enjoy.

For an amazing variation I have just tried out, just before the kernels are going to pop, sprinkle some tabasco sauce into pot.

 

[I.am.Sam]

add icing sugar and butter

 

[DJ...]

Firstly, why is the heat on high? It isn't necessary and you just risk burning the kernels. And secondly, why let the steam (and heat) out? The pot isn't going to explode. And thirdly, you don't tip it out when the popping slows - you'll be left with unpopped kernels in there. Fourthly, you need to keep moving the cooking vessel around so the kernels drop to the bottom and the popped corn moves to the top - this avoids burning the corn. Best vessel is a metal bowl with tin-foil covering it, which you grip with tongs and shake around...

 

[Pooky]

Firstly, why is the heat on high? It isn't necessary and you just risk burning the kernels. And secondly, why let the steam (and heat) out? The pot isn't going to explode. And thirdly, you don't tip it out when the popping slows - you'll be left with unpopped kernels in there. Fourthly, you need to keep moving the cooking vessel around so the kernels drop to the bottom and the popped corn moves to the top - this avoids burning the corn. Best vessel is a metal bowl with tin-foil covering it, which you grip with tongs and shake around...

Well fine, I'm using a gas stove (shoulda said that) on the smallest burner. Let the steam out to make the popcorn more crunchy. By 'when the popping slows' I meant when it isn't really popping anymore but there still may be one or two pops. I found I don't need to shake it and it pops all the kernels (well maybe like 1-5 aren't popped).

Hope that clears it up Mr. GrumpyPants

 

[I.am.Sam]

Well fine, I'm using a gas stove (shoulda said that) on the smallest burner. Let the steam out to make the popcorn more crunchy. By 'when the popping slows' I meant when it isn't really popping anymore but there still may be one or two pops. I found I don't need to shake it and it pops all the kernels (well maybe like 1-5 aren't popped).

Hope that clears it up Mr. GrumpyPants

 

[Keeper]

Best Tip: Keep moving that pot when it starts to pop.

 

[bwana]

Best Tip: Keep moving that pot when it starts to pop.

Agreed.

I use a heavy cast iron pot - as soon as it gets hot enough to start popping the kernels I turn the heat way down and just agitate the pot until the popping slows. Next the melted butter gets mixed in along with finely ground salt.

 

[IzZzy]

/troll

"put bag in microwave for a few minutes".

/untroll.

;D

 

[ponder]

Best Tip: Keep moving that pot when it starts to pop.

No need. I use a thin aluminium pot with the stove plate at 3/4 heat. no burns and very few unpoped kernels.

 

[Pooky]

No need. I use a thin aluminium pot with the stove plate at 3/4 heat. no burns and very few unpoped kernels.

This

 

[Keeper]

No need. I use a thin aluminium pot with the stove plate at 3/4 heat. no burns and very few unpoped kernels.

it's not only about that, shaking it around mixes the popcorn with the liquid hot butter and makes it taste better.

 

[I.am.Sam]

it's not only about that, shaking it around mixes the popcorn with the liquid hot butter and makes it taste better.

making it in butter doesnt make the popcorn have black on it ?

 

[D3nz]

making it in butter doesnt make the popcorn have black on it ?

nope, you just have to keep shaking that pot

 

[ShaunSA]

nope, you just have to keep shaking that pot

Sam loves shaking

Best popcorn is the one someone else is making

 

[I.am.Sam]

nope, you just have to keep shaking that pot

normally when i add butter to the pot i wait abit and then add the seeds ...when its done popping i have the black on it

Sam loves shaking

Best popcorn is the one someone else is making

wait this is a civilised thread

when the ban hammer hits there will be no indians left

 

[cerebus]

Experiment with seasonings. Popcorn is quite conducive to flavours. Of course butter and salt is the classic standby but other spices can turn it into something quite unique. I like ranch style and Mexican style. Salt and vinegar is nice. Caramelized popcorn is quite easy and delicious. Melted chocolate works.

 

[Shiveer]

Bacon Flavoured Pop Corn

I read this one a while ago on Lifehacker, Basically after you have fried bacon, use the grease to make pop corn and voila! bacon flavoured pop corn. Havent tried this personally as I always get a terrrible sore throat after eating pop corn so prefer not to chance it.

 

[saor]

I like to pop it plain, then add salt and about a teaspoon of honey (put in on the side so it melts down) then shake. Or, pop plain popcorn and add salt and chopped up chunks of brie and shake around. The crispy popcorn goes so well with the soft chunks of cheese.