Make Your Own Tasty Popcorn

I recently came across this photo that I took for a competition, it never won but it did give me a good idea for this blog post, and I got to thinking of my friend who loves making his own popcorn and how he might like some ideas for interesting flavourings.  So this one is for you Dean, and anyone else out there who likes to pop their own corn.

Firstly if you have never tried to make your own tasty popcorn before it is dead easy and very quick. Here’s how to do it. You will need a good sized pan with a tight fitting lid with steam holes. You want about 1 tbsp of oil, vegetable or sunflower, to 50g of corn.

Add oil to the pan and allow to heat on a medium setting. Test the oil by dropping a couple of kernels into the oil, once they pop then it is hot enough to add the rest in an even layer. Cover with the lid, remove from the heat for 30 seconds before returning it and gently shake the pan while the corn pops. It is done when the pops are 2-3 seconds between pops, carefully remove the lid and transfer the corn to a wide bowl. Cover with a flavouring your own choosing while the corn is still hot. If you add the flavourings to the popcorn in two halves you will get better coverage or  placing a lid over the bowl and shaking the flavouring and corn together works really well too.

I read a tip which suggested if you are making salted popcorn placing an amount of salt to taste in with the oil results in a nice even coating. I don’t know if that works for sugar too, I haven’t tried it yet but if you have please do comment with your results.

I have picked out a few recipes, many of them courtesy of the Guardian website, that I thought looked interesting to try out over the weekend these ones are my favourites:

Super Healthy

• 1 tblsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp toasted cumin seeds ground
• 1 tsp toasted fennel seeds ground
• pinch sea salt

Taste of Italy

• 1 tblsp olive oil
• 1 tblsp Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes
• Pinch garlic salt or sea salt

Miso Tasty

• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp wasabi powder
• 1/4 tsp soy sauce

Sticky Fingers

• 50 g butter
• 2 tblsp maple sryup
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 ground cinnamon
• pinch ground nutmeg
• pinch sea salt

With this Sticky Fingers recipe melt the butter and add the syrup to the melted butter in a small pan and mix before pouring over the popped corn. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Choosing a high quality maple syrup is important here, it really makes a difference.

It literally take just a few minuets to make, and they are so tasty! So go on, give it a go and tell us how you got on.

You can make up any of your own choosing by using any fat such as butter, olive oil, truffle oil, sesame oil or coconut oil with a dried flavouring. Add the fat first, mix well to coat, then follow with your flavourings. If you have any favourites of your own or have any useful tips in popcorn making please leave your comments.

Have fun!