Popcorn - How do you cook it?

[Calliegirl]

How do you usually make your popcorn?

I usually make it on the stovetop, I don't like the taste of it from the microwave. I used to have a hot air popper that I used often, but don't have it anymore.

My roommate was shocked when she saw me making it on the stove, or as she put it, "you're cooking your own popcorn?" rather than using the microwave. So I was wondering how everyone else usually makes it, and if making it this way has become rare.

 

[KLS52]

I use the microwave, mainly because I don't want to have to shake the pan over the stove. I remember doing it that way as a kid.

I put the kernels in a brown paper bag. Then I melt EB and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Now I want popcorn.

 

[shyvas]

I use the microwave, mainly because I don't want to have to shake the pan over the stove. I remember doing it that way as a kid.

I put the kernels in a brown paper bag. Then I melt EB and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Now I want popcorn.

That is interesting. So, you only need a brown paper bag and no special utensil ?

 

[ledboots]

That is interesting. So, you only need a brown paper bag and no special utensil ?

Yes, like the thin brown lunch bag.

 

[shyvas]

Yes, like the thin brown lunch bag.

I see. I will have to try it as I'm not keen on the hob technique due to the taste of cooked oil.

 

[Chryssie]

I have a microwave popcorn bowl I got at Target. It works great with the microwave popcorn button!

 

[KLS52]

You barely need enough kernels to cover the bottom of the bag. I have overfilled, on occasion, and ended up with the bag springing holes. Not the end of the world. Just a few kernels escaping, is all. It only takes 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 minutes in my microwave.

 

[Moll Flanders]

I buy a bag of vegan popcorn and I open it and eat. I think I made popcorn when I was younger but I can't remember how I cooked it.

 

[KLS52]

I like Skinny Pop. They brag "35 calories per serving" but alas, I never stick to just one serving.

Now that I think about it, their "single serve" bags are 100 calories per bag. What's up with that? Seems to be a bit of a contradiction, lol.

 

[Naturebound1]

I have a microwave popcorn bowl I got at Target. It works great with the microwave popcorn button!

I too found a bowl specially made with a lid for popping popcorn in the microwave. It is so much easier to use and clean than an air popper! Literally nothing can go wrong with it lol. I add a 1/3 cup of kernals and get a TON of popcorn out of it. I like to spray my plain popcorn with Braggs liquid aminos, and sometimes also sprinkle it with nutritional yeast. But usually just the Braggs. BTW, I got my popcorn bowl at a specialty cooking store for $14.

 

[Chryssie]

If I am remembering correctly, I think the popcorn bowl was less than $10 at Target! About 3 tablespoons of kernels makes a big single serving for me.

 

[shyvas]

I was wondering how the popcorn doesn't come out of the bag when using this method ?

 

[Calliegirl]

I don't like butter substitute they use in the store bought microwave popcorn, and I always burn my popcorn using a brown paper bag, but I'll have to look into one of those microwave bowls. I'd never heard of them before.

I just fold the end of the paper bag and would sometimes tear a 'tab' in the middle of the folded part and fold it the opposite direction to kind of lock it, if that makes sense.

 

[Naturebound1]

If I am remembering correctly, I think the popcorn bowl was less than $10 at Target! About 3 tablespoons of kernels makes a big single serving for me.

Now that I think about it, I spent about that too, not what I said above. I looked up the kind I bought and it is here:

I eat huge portions of certain foods, and popcorn is one.

 

[Chryssie]

That is exactly like the one I have!

 

[PTree15]

I do mine on the stove top, though I used to have that same bowl for the microwave. I have an aluminum popper with a lid/handle contraption that lets you stir the popcorn kernels once the oil gets hot enough. It does a pretty good job. I also have an electric popper for larger portions, for when I have company, but mostly I use the stove-top method. I use a variety of toppings, including hot sauce, EB with nutritional yeast flakes, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning or just plain salt. I love popcorn.

 

[MadamSarcastra]

Stove-top, in evoo, topped with onion powder, dill weed, & nooch. Salt-free & SOOO damn good!!

 

[shyvas]

I use the microwave, mainly because I don't want to have to shake the pan over the stove. I remember doing it that way as a kid.

I put the kernels in a brown paper bag. Then I melt EB and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Now I want popcorn.

I must try this method.

 

[shyvas]

I must try this method.

I forget to try and use this method. I've just made a huge batch on the hob.
I eat mine plain and don't think that popcorn needs any seasoning as it has a nice, dense corn flavour.