:: steph chows ::: popcorn

Are you a sucker for marketing and packaging design? I can be... and this popcorn is beautifully designed I must say. I mean just look at it! I happily won this 479 Popcorn variety pack from Blake Makes! So the packaging didn't get me to buy it, but it's sure getting me to talk about it!

This popcorn screams gourmet, and not just on the outside. Inside these boxes are flavors like:
Alderwood Smoked Salt
Madras Curry Cashew
Black Truffle
Pimentòn de La Vera
Chipotle Caramel Almond
Ginger Sesame Caramel
Fleur de Sel Caramel
Vietnamese Cinnamon

I haven't made it through them all yet, but so far the winner is Ginger Sesame Caramel! Steph, her John, two of their buddies and I had a little tasting this weekend. Apparently the ginger caramel goes well with beer, same goes for the black truffle... the curry however... does NOT go so well with beer :)

What do you think would be your favorite flavor?

I love popcorn, I eat some just about every day. I go to BJ's and buy the huge 36 count packs of microwave light butter, or the 94% fat free kind. The smell is so fake and artificial... and I love it! HAHAHA John however can't stand it... so I have an air popper at his house :) The more I made it at his house the more I thought about all the "ingredients"... chemicals... that were in my loved microwave variety. Have you ever looked at the ingredients... SCARY!! So I ventured over into the organic isles of the food store and there are happy little bags using recyled non bleached bags and nothing scary... and you know what... THEY COST A BILLION DOLLARS! Ok maybe not that much but a ton more then the other stuff... So I was complaining... I mean talking to my coworker about my popcorn chemical problems and she simple said, why not just make it using regular kernels in the microwave...

excuse me? you can do that??

yup..

it doesn't burn the house down??

nope.

and you know what... she was right!
So now I just buy a jumbo bag of plain kernels for under $2 and it makes months worth or popcorn. So nice :) Here's how you do it!

Homemade microwave popcorn
2 Tbs regular corn kernels (white or yellow whatever floats your boat)
1 brown paper bag. size 12... it's a little bigger then a normal lunch bag. I use the bags you get when you get rolls at wegmans... perfect size! and as long as you don't burn the popcorn you can keep reusing the same bag.

Place kernels into bag and fold top of bag shut.
Place in microwave.
My work microwave needs 1 minute 40 seconds to not burn you'll need to troubleshoot this part on your own for your microwave. My suggestion, hit the snack size popcorn button and sit there and listen. If you smell it burning stop it (obviously) or when the pops are 2 seconds apart, hit stop.

Place into a bowl and toss to coat it with whatever you like, warm butter, Mrs. Dash seasonings, a little sugar and cinnamon!! You can also toss the kernels with olive oil and a little sea salt before popping (you wont be able to reuse the bag though... ;) )

Chow!!