90% of all U.S. households have a microwave oven, but we don’t, so when we make popcorn, it’s on the stove top. Generally we buy the store brand, it’s considerably cheaper than name brand popcorn, and we find it offers the same result.
We cook popcorn in coconut oil. Coconut oil has a high heat point and retains it’s nutritional value when heated.
We like to add flavorings, too. My favorite is grated Parmesan cheese. Of course we always add butter and salt, but I’ve found that fresh ground black pepper is a great addition as well.
How to Cook Popcorn on the Stove top:
1) On Medium Heat, add 2 Tbsp of coconut oil in a heavy bottomed pot.
2) Add a couple of test corn kernels into the pot.
3) When the oil heats through, and the test kernels have popped, add ½ cup of popcorn kernels.
4) Shake the pan to distribute the kernels along the bottom of the pan. They should form a single layer.
5) Cover the pot with a lid, but don’t cover tightly, leave the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape; this will keep the popcorn from tasting stale.
6) Allow the kernels to pop until the popping sound almost completely subsides.
7) Once popped, removed pot from burner and pour popcorn into a bowl.
8) While hot, add melted butter and salt and whatever seasonings you desire.
and that’s it!
Below is a video we made experimenting with bacon, but I think I prefer basic popcorn, although the fresh ground black pepper tasted awesome.
Fun Facts:
–Two tablespoons of unpopped corn kernels produce a quart of popcorn for about 25 cents.
–In movie theaters, for every dollar spent on popcorn, about 90 cents is profit.
–A cup of plain popcorn contains about 31 calories.
–Americans eat more popcorn than any other country.
–About 70% of popcorn sold in America is eaten in the home.
–By volume, popcorn is America’s most popular snack food.
For another tasty snack idea, check out these Cashew Coconut Lemon Bites
