Best Stove Top Popcorn

A Personal Popcorn Post - How's That For Alliteration?
I've decided to share something personal with my readers, even on my writing blog.
This is how to make the best stove top popcorn that you can make right at home. I've been making stove top popcorn for decades. I absolutely love popcorn. Who doesn't? If you are a movie buff, you NEED popcorn.
My History of Movie Theatre Popcorn
My sister bought me a popcorn popper for Christmas when I was twenty-three years old. She thoughtfully made it possible for me to make my very own movie theatre style popcorn. What a good sister!
Going to the movie theatre is always fun, but for me, it's mostly about the popcorn, (seriously) even though they overprice it. (it's still worth it)
I learned to make the best popcorn you ever had. Using special coconut oil (it's orange, and thick like ice cream), gourmet seeds, (important) and theatre spice , for true movie theatre popcorn flavour. It was amazing! Just like you bought at the movie theatre - a long time ago anyway - it's not as good anymore. (they don't even use real butter)
My popcorn pot finally wore out, so I continued making popcorn regularly on the stove, with oil then topping with butter for flavour. However, it just wasn't the same. Something was missing...
Then, after searching on the Internet for a stove top popcorn recipe, I happened across this: (it's excellent btw)
Best Stove Top Popcorn Recipe
What you need:
- 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil (you can use extra virgin olive oil or canola oil)
- 1/2 cup of popcorn seeds (gourmet preferred)
- salt
- melted butter
Instructions:
- Start with a good pot - simple enough right?
- Put 2 kernels in with the oil - put 2 corn seeds in with 2 tablespoons of oil (*coconut, extra virgin olive, or canola), and heat on MEDIUM heat. (I used to use high heat which forces the kernels to pop too soon) Wait for these 2 seeds to pop. That means that the oil is at the correct temperature.
- Turn off the element. (yes, do that) Take the pot OFF the stove. You don't want the oil to get past the correct temperature because it will burn your popcorn.
- Add 1/2 cup of popcorn seeds - cover the pot and swoosh it around in the oil for 1 minute.
- Turn the element back on to MEDIUM HEAT - place the pot back on the element, and keep the lid slightly open. Gently shimmy the pot back and forth to keep the kernels moving in the oil. Have a big popcorn bowl (you need a popcorn bowl) ready near the element. When the popcorn pops too high for the pot you will dexterously empty the fresh popcorn into the bowl, keeping the lid slightly closed, then return the pot to the element to let the remaining kernels pop. When you hear it die down you're done.
- Sprinkle your popcorn with salt - I add melted butter too for flavour.
- Enjoy (your welcome)
Now, all you need to do, is decide on a movie.
In a later post, I will personally share how to decide quickly, consistently, in under a minute, every time. (wink)