Stove popped popcorn

Have you ever had fresh popped popcorn? Like not from the microwave? It's pretty awesome. But when I think of popping popcorn, I generally think of an air popper, and I don't need another random kitchen appliance, thank you very much.

So imagine my surprise when I learned that you could pop popcorn on your stove. When I was in high school, I had a friend whose family made popcorn on the stove and it was de-licious. I had never had it before in my life and it really tastes a billion times better than the microwave popped popcorn, and its healthier. I fell in love with it.

When I came to college, I decided to try to make some on my own. I followed the instructions on the popcorn kernel bag and it was a fail. Time after time. I had to ask my friend's mom for a lesson and now I am professional. I introduced Greg to it, and he loves it. He is now the designated popcorn maker, and he makes it ALL THE TIME. People we've shared it with have seemed to really like it, so I figured I'd do a little post about how to make it.

For starters, you'll want a pot about this size. You can do taller, but I wouldn't go much smaller.

You'll also need oil (vegetable or canola), butter or margarine (whichever you prefer), and popcorn kernels. I haven't noticed any differences between white and yellow kernels.

Pour a flat layer of kernels into the bottom of the pan, covering the bottom of the pan. Add enough oil to coat the kernels, tilting the pan until all the kernels are covered by oil. Don't add too much oil! The oil will thin and spread when you start heating it, and the kernels will burn if you use too much oil.

Cover the pot and turn the heat on high. Eventually, some kernels will start to pop!

Every now and then, shake the pot side to side, but leave the heat on. Eventually, you will have a full pot of popcorn! Take the pot off the heat once it is full or when the popping has slowed to every few seconds. Empty the popcorn into a big bowl.

Greg and I like to use the residual heat from the coils to melt the butter/margarine (we use 2 1/2 tsp). If you have a gas stove you can use low heat. Of course the microwave is always an option.

Carefully drizzle the butter over the popcorn, stirring it in. Then salt it to taste!

Mmmmm