by R. Renee Bembry

Created on: October 23, 2010

By making popcorn yourself you get to decide what kind of oil to use, what type of salt, if any to use, as well as how much salt to sprinkle - should you decide to add it. Making your own popcorn also means you get to select the type of popcorn to cook. Deciding for yourself what to add to your popcorn helps you make popcorn that is cheaper and healthier than buying pre-popped corn. It also affords you the pleasure of making popcorn that is cheaper and healthier than bags of processed microwave popcorn.

Another great thing about making your own popcorn at home is that you can use the event to have a little family fun. Kids can take part in preparing the popcorn. The younger ones usually get kicks out of the entire routine and often want to be the ones who pour the seeds into the popcorn maker.

AT THE STORE

To make popcorn at home, you must first go to the store to purchase a bag or a box of popcorn seeds and some oil. Canola oil and olive oil make the healthiest popcorn; however, olive oil is quite expensive. Canola oil prices usually hang right around vegetable oil, corn oil, and other types of oil prices. You can pick up a bit of butter or margarine as well. In addition, if you want to make your popcorn in a fancy microwave popcorn popper, you could purchase this item as well. You do not need to buy a fancy popcorn popper, however, so if you prefer saving the expense, you can simply use a large bowl with a lid that completely covers the bowl rim.

AT HOME

* Measure the seeds according to the instructions on the bag. Generally, this means you should be adding 1 teaspoon of oil to 2 teaspoons of popcorn seeds.

* Pour the seeds and oil into the popcorn maker or bowl.

* If you purchased a popcorn maker that does not require the use of oil, skip the oil to keep your popcorn healthier.

* Place the container in the microwave and set the lid on top of the bowl. Bear in mind that the lid has two purposes. One purpose is to keep the popcorn from flying all over the microwave once the kernels begin exploding. The other purpose is to help retain moisture popcorn kernels need to pop. Therefore, place the lid gently atop the bowl but do not seal it.

* Set the microwave to cook for two minutes. Generally, it takes between 2 and 2-1/2 minutes for popcorn to pop when microwaving it. Whether you are using a popcorn maker or a bowl, the first batch or two may call for a bit of trial and error. The heat setting on your microwave may cause fluctuations in cooking time. Adjust this setting if your microwave allows you to do so. You could also simply push the popcorn button on your microwave. This button usually causes food to cook for 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

* Once the time expires, wait a few extra seconds before removing the popcorn from the microwave. The extra waiting time allows kernels that are about to pop to do so before you remove the lid and let the heat escape from the bowl.

* After removing the bowl, you can lightly sprinkle a bit of salt over the popcorn - or not. If you go with the salt, however, it would be okay to seal the lid now so that you can give the bowl a few shakes. Shaking the bowl in this way allows salt to spread to popcorn bits located on the bottom.

* Adding butter or margarine is a seasoning option as well. If choosing to add one of these flavorings, purchase a light version and add it to the popcorn sparingly.

* Pour popcorn in individual bowls or just set the big bowl on a table and enjoy!

Learn more about this author, R. Renee Bembry.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.