Popcorn Making Tips

Provide seasonings and let your guests create their own flavored popcorn.

When it comes to snacks, popcorn is one of the most popular for many reasons. Popcorn is an inexpensive, healthy treat made fresh and hot in just minutes. Increase interest to fresh, hot popcorn by adding your favorite seasonings. Although making a batch of popcorn is simple, a few tips will result in mouthwatering, perfect popcorn.

Making Popcorn

Although popcorn can be made in an electric popper or an air popper, you can easily make popcorn on your stove top. To make popcorn, use a 3- to 4-qt saucepan, or a frying pan with a lid and a heavy bottom. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in the pan, then add a kernel of popcorn to the hot oil. When the kernel pops, add enough popcorn to cover the bottom of the pan, one layer deep, then put the lid on the pan. Use about 1 cup oil for every cup of unpopped corn. Use vegetable oil, not butter.

Storing Popcorn

Store unpopped popcorn in an airtight glass or plastic container as soon as you bring the popcorn home from the grocery store. Store the container in a dry, cool spot, but don't store your popcorn in the refrigerator. Storing popcorn in the refrigerator causes moisture loss, resulting in unpopped kernels and "old maids." Leftover popped corn stored in an airtight bowl or container remains fresh for several days.

Flavoring Popcorn

Popcorn can be seasoned with a variety of spices and flavorings. Start by stirring in 1 tbsp. melted butter for every 4 cups of popcorn. Stir in your favorite additives, such as cheddar cheese, curry powder, peanuts, vanilla extract or sugar and cinnamon. Make Cajun popcorn with red pepper, paprika, white pepper, oregano, onion powder, celery seed and thyme. Italian popcorn is created by adding a combination of Parmesan cheese, garlic salt and oregano. If you love spicy food, stir in crushed red peppers and chili powder.

Low-fat Popcorn

Non-stick spray makes an effective substitute for butter. Just spray the popped corn with a butter-flavored spray, then stir the popcorn thoroughly. When the popcorn is completely coated, seasonings stick to the kernels.

Adding Salt

Add salt to popcorn after the corn has popped. Salting the corn before popping creates tough popcorn.

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