Creating the perfect bowl of fluffy, crispy popcorn on the stovetop is an art form that requires patience, precision, and just the right balance of ingredients. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice popcorn enthusiast, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques needed to achieve popcorn perfection. From selecting the proper popcorn kernels and oil to mastering the heating process, we'll take you on a journey through the world of stovetop popcorn, ensuring that your next movie night or snack attack is filled with flavor and excitement.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
BEST STOVETOP POPCORN
Learn how to make perfectly popped popcorn in under 10 minutes! You'll never go back to microwave popcorn after you make this recipe. Recipe yields about 10 cups (about 4 servings).
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Snack
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the oil and 2 popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and wait for the kernels to pop, which might take a few minutes. In the meantime, place a large serving bowl near the stove so it's ready when you need it.
- Once the kernels pop, turn off the burner, remove the pot from the heat and pour in the remaining popcorn kernels. Cover the pot again, and give the pot a little shimmy to distribute the kernels evenly. Let the pot rest for 60 seconds to make sure the oil doesn't get too hot before the kernels are ready to pop.
- Turn the heat back up to medium, put the pot back onto the burner and continue cooking the popcorn, carefully shimmying the pot occasionally to cook the kernels evenly. Once the kernels start popping, tip the lid just a touch to allow steam to escape (see photo).
- Continue cooking until the popping sound slows to about one pop per every few seconds. (If the popcorn tries to overflow the pot, just tip the upper portion of popcorn into your bowl and return it to the heat.)
- Remove the lid and dump the popcorn into your serving bowl. Sprinkle the popcorn with a couple pinches of salt, to taste, and any other topping you would like. Toss the popcorn and serve immediately, for best flavor and texture. The popcorn will taste good for several hours, though.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 bowl (2.5 cups), Calories 150 calories, Sugar 0 g, Sodium 145.3 mg, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
HOW TO MAKE STOVETOP POPCORN
Steps:
- Place a large (8-quart) pot over high heat and add the oil. The oil should just cover the bottom of the pan. Heat the oil until it's rippling but not smoking, then add the popcorn kernels and shake the pot so the kernels form a single layer on the bottom. Place the lid on the pan and immediately reduce the heat to medium. Once the kernels start popping, shake the pan every so often and listen to the pace of the popping: The kernels should pop rapid-fire and should continue as one long continuous burst. As soon as the popping slows to a few kernels at a time, turn off the heat. (If you find that your kernels are popping just a few at a time for a long time and aren't picking up speed, take a peek and see if the kernels are getting too dark without opening: You might need to start again if they're starting to burn. It'll be worth the redo!)Remove the lid and immediately add salt or other seasonings; tap the pot up and down to distribute the salt. Pour half the popcorn into a large serving bowl, then salt the remaining popcorn in the pan and add to the bowl.
PERFECT POPCORN
Steps:
- Place the oil, popcorn and salt in a large, 6-quart, metal mixing bowl. Cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil and poke 10 slits in the top with a knife.
- Place the bowl over medium heat and shake constantly using a pair of tongs to hold the bowl. Continue shaking until the popcorn finishes popping, approximately 3 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully remove the foil. Stir in any salt that is on the side of the bowl.
- Melt the butter in the microwave. Slowly drizzle over the popcorn, while spinning the bowl. Serve immediately.
POPCORN (STOVE TOP)
Back in the Dark Ages when I was a little girl there was no microwave popcorn. There weren't even microwaves (gasp)! Mom actually used to make popcorn on the stove. Here's how, courtesy of the Fannie Farmer Cookbook.
Provided by LonghornMama
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 15m
Yield 3 quarts, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Put the oil in a 4 quart heavy pot and let it heat over medium heat for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the kernels, turning with a spoon so that they are evenly covered with oil, then spread them in one layer on the bottom of the pot. (I just shake them around a bit).
- Cover the pot, leaving a small space at the edge for escaping steam. As soon as the first kernel pops, move the pot gently and continuously back and forth over medium-high heat until the popping stops.
- Turn into a warm bowl. Toss with melted butter, if desired, and salt to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 90.2, Fat 10.2, SaturatedFat 1.3
DADDY'S POPCORN
You will never go back microwave popcorn after trying this range-top recipe. It is made with oil, margarine, and seasoned salt.
Provided by John Gawecki
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Snacks Popcorn Recipes
Time 7m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Start by cutting a paper grocery sack in half. This will serve as a makeshift serving bowl and it will absorb excess oil.
- In a 2 quart pot, combine the oil, margarine and popcorn. Set over high heat, and constantly shake the pan back and forth. After the first kernel of corn pops, place the lid on the pot, and continue shaking. When the popcorn starts to lift the lid up off the pan, remove it from the heat, and hold it over the paper bag until it stops popping.
- Pour into the paper sack and season with half of the seasoned salt. Shake the paper sack to distribute the salt. Taste before adding more so you don't make it too salty. You can always add more salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.8 calories, Carbohydrate 18.7 g, Fat 22.8 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 208.5 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
Tips:
- Choose the right popcorn kernels: Not all popcorn kernels are created equal. Some varieties are more likely to pop than others, so be sure to choose a type that is specifically designed for stovetop popping.
- Use a large pot or Dutch oven: You'll need a large pot or Dutch oven to ensure that all of the popcorn kernels have enough space to pop. A pot that is too small will cause the popcorn to crowd and not pop properly.
- Use the right amount of oil: The amount of oil you use will affect the flavor and texture of the popcorn. Too much oil will make the popcorn greasy, while too little oil will make it dry and bland.
- Heat the oil over medium heat: Don't heat the oil over high heat, as this will cause it to burn. Medium heat is ideal for popping popcorn.
- Add the popcorn kernels: Once the oil is hot, add the popcorn kernels to the pot. Be sure to spread the kernels out in a single layer so that they all have a chance to pop.
- Cover the pot: Cover the pot with a lid and shake it gently back and forth. This will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the popcorn from burning.
- Listen for the popping sounds: Once the popcorn starts popping, listen carefully for the popping sounds to slow down. When the popping sounds are about 2-3 seconds apart, remove the pot from the heat.
- Pour the popcorn into a bowl: Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and season it with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Conclusion:
Making popcorn on the stovetop is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious snack. By following these tips, you can make perfect popcorn every time. So next time you're craving a snack, give stovetop popcorn a try. You won't be disappointed!
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