I believe the first thing my parents allowed me to cook on the stove was popcorn, at least that is what I recall. My parents stove at the time was gas, so as you can imagine, me, being in middle school and cooking on a gas stove was pretty cool. Popcorn has always been a favorite snack of mine. Whether it be in the day, night, or heck, even for breakfast, it is something that I will always enjoy. There are countless memories with my grandparents, and now with my own kids, where popcorn has been present. I believe that my parents allowing me to cook on the stove at a young age, and in particular, cooking popcorn, has allowed me to master the snack. I find it funny that my wife was brought up the same way, doing the same on the stove, so it is always funny to compete with one another when making popcorn. After all, she does make great popcorn.
Please note that microwave popcorn is for the weak, and only the weak.
Ingredients:
Good popcorn (heck, I use Orville Redenbacher)
Canola Oil
Butter
Salt
In a large, deep pan, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil. Let sit for nearly one minute on medium to high heat. Add two seeds to the oil and cover with a lid. Within a couple of minutes the corn should pop. Add seeds to cover the bottom of the pan, and place the lid back on. Shake the pan to coat the seeds. Reduce the heat to medium. Get ready to shake it baby as the seeds are getting ready to pop. As the corn is popping, begin to shake the pan so not to burn the corn. Within minutes your corn will be ready, and most, if not all seeds should pop.
Please note that during the popping stage, I heat a pan with 2-3 tablespoons of butter and let that melt down. Once the corn is ready, empty it into a large bowl, salt, and add butter. Toss the corn as to coat with butter and salt. You might add more butter or salt depending on your mood. 🙂
My kids absolutely love the popcorn. In due time, they will begin the cooking process as my wife and I once did, and continue to do.
Please note that you can also use other toppings such as parmesan cheese, chili powder, and tabasco sauce. Are there toppings that you have used that are not listed? If so, let me know.
