I am in a popcorn eating frenzy! Ever since I read Angry Chicken’s post on microwaved popcorn, I have been in heaven. I’m not sure why it never occurred to me, but the prepackaged microwavable popcorn bags aren’t actually that special. The only thing that makes them different is a plethora of unnatural, unpronounceable ingredients.
You can actually make your own microwave popcorn without any fancy equipment. All you need is a microwave, popcorn, seasoning, and a container. I started out using a lunch-sized paper bag (it’s cheap to get a pack of 80 from Target), but figured out that a glass mixing bowl with a lid works just fine as well.
The lid that I have has a couple vent slots, so if you are using a plate to cover the bowl with, use something to prop it up a bit, such as a wooden spoon. (Make sure that you don’t use anything metal)
Even the oil is optional, so it can be as healthy as you want it to be. Popcorn is great for you as long as you don’t load it up with a ton of oil. It only has 110 calories a serving, and 20% of your fiber intake, as well as 4 g of protein. If you’re a salt addict like me, add some spice and cut out a bit of the salt, trust me it works wonders.
Becca’s Curry Microwave Popcorn
Serves 1
In microwave safe bowl (with loose fitting lid) or brown paper lunch bag: mix 1/4 c popcorn with a tsp. of oil, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. curry powder. Microwave until popping slows down to one pop every 2-3 seconds. If you’re feeling decadent pour some melted butter over the popped popcorn.
now this is something I can handle. I had some “organic” microwave popcorn the other night, and it was like eating Styrofoam.
how do you add butter? after the fact?
You can add it at the beginning, but I would suggest melting it in a separate bowl and then pouring it over the top of the popped corn. This is how mom used to do it, using a ton of butter, and it truly is fantastic. Curry powder is the way to go though if you want a more healthy (and still tasty) popcorn experience.
Definitely better for us than the bagged microwave stuff!!!
I like it popped over the stove too, using a bit of olive oil. Takes a longer time than the microwave though…
CanadianSaver- I also make it on the stove, especially if it’s for a bunch of people, but for just me and hubby the microwave works great.
Try the Presto Microwave Popper- it has a “recepter pad” you put in the bottom and it works great. You can use any type of popcorn or oil. I formerly was in charge of growing all the popcorn for Act II and Orville Redenbacher and this is how I pop all my popcorn. I also like small kernel varieties as they are more tender than large kernel. Remember to use a 3:1 ration of popcorn to oil. If you are doing on a stovetop temperature is very important. Popcorn pops best at 460-480 F. Enjoy!
Roger – a 3:1 ratio seems like a lot more oil than you really need. I would rather use less oil and then flavor with melted butter at the end, but I’m glad that you found a way that you like.
Does this work for any kind of popcorn?
The Editor – I think that it should work for any type of popcorn. I wasn’t using anything that fancy.
The butter is a must have. I am ALWAYS feeling decadent