Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Secret To Making Movie Theater Quality Popcorn At Home

This doesn't even do it justice because you can't taste how good this popcorn was.
Have you ever been to the movie theater, bought some popcorn before the big show, and said to yourself, "I wish I didn't have to pay these rip off prices to enjoy movie theater quality popcorn"? Stupid question, of course you have. The good news is that you don't have to be a price gouging victim to enjoy your favorite snack and have it be as good as the movie theater, if not better.

I know popcorn is one my favorite snacks and even though I do get it at the cinema now and then, sometimes I find that the quality is not even what it should be for upwards to 7 bucks for a large tub. We're talking burned popcorn, too much salt or tons of old maids (in case you don't know, old maids are unpopped kernels)... now who wants those. That's a crying shame for the cost. Seriously, I just want to cry in my popcorn when I pay that much and it's that bad. No more tears though because I found a better way to satisfy my popcorn craving for pennies on the dollar and then bring it to the movies or better yet, enjoy it for even less money by watching a movie at home. Interested? Here's what you'll need to do it at home:

1. They're really hard to find in stores so check out Amazon for a stove top popcorn popper: 
















2. Buy some popcorn seeds, you can find them for 1.50 to 2.00 at your local grocer and that will make you about 15 to 20 large bowls of popcorn. For that same amount at the theater, it would cost you a whopping $140.00 That's a savings of 99%.

3. You're going to need some oil to make it pop, I prefer Canola Oil.

4. Last but not least, as an expert home made popcorn maker, I can't stress enough that you cannot leave out the popcorn seasonings. The only seasonings I would ever use and that is ever is Kernel Seasons. They come in about 15 different flavors. I pefer the Nacho Cheese but everything from Butter, White Cheddar, Ranch, or Kettle Korn are awesome too. You can find these in the popcorn/snack aisle at your grocer too but if you can't here is a link to them on Amazon (pretty good deal for a variety pack of 6 flavors):
















Now that we have those ingredients out of the way, here's how to make popcorn the best you can possibly make it using the stove top popper:

  • Step 1: Pour about half a cup of oil into your popper and let the oil heat on about medium for a minute or two.
  • Step 2: Pour about an equal amount of seeds as you used for the oil, in this case 1/2 cup for a large bowl of popcorn and add a pinch of salt to the oil while your at it. 
  • Step 3: Start spinning the popcorn maker as soon you pour in the popcorn because your oil should almost be hot enough to pop, if not just be patient and keep spinning anyway, to insure your popcorn won't burn.
  • Step 4: IMPORTANT! Even if your arm feels like it's about to fall off from all the spinning action, don't stop spinning until you take your popcorn off the stove or it will burn and that will ruin all your work and you'll have to start over. Trust me, it's worth it. Plus burning some calories before eating all that popcorn can't hurt either. 
  • Step 5: Use kitchen gloves so you don't burn yourself on the popper and pour the popcorn into a large bowl. It will be very hot. After of which, you can sprinkle with a generous amount of Kernel Seasons.
  • Step 6: If this doesn't make popcorn that satisfies as much as movie theater popcorn and you did everything right, you can leave me a comment and tell me what a bad person I am. 
Essential supplies.  Check out the Panhandle Popcorn. If you can find some, that's some good quality seeds.

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