Perfectly Popped Popcorn

I finally learned how to pop popcorn on my stove and I love it!  It’s much cheaper to buy popcorn kernels in bulk (I get the Orville Redenbachers from Costco) but it’s so much healthier when you don’t have all of those other ingredients you get with microwave popcorn.  Plus, it tastes so good.  I promise, if you ever make this for anyone else they will think it’s the best popcorn they’ve had.  (I know because sometimes I’m nice and share ;).  Oh, and your kids will love popcorn with any movie they may watch this Summer!  It’s also a great snack you can pack in your kids lunches when school starts.  What kid doesn’t want popcorn in their lunch?  So, here’s how you perfectly pop popcorn.

Start out with a 2 qt. pot.  Put in 3T. oil (of your choice) and a few popcorn kernels.  Put the lid on and heat over medium high heat until you hear the popcorn kernels pop.

When the few popcorn kernels you put in have popped, remove the pot from the heat and add in 1/3 C. popcorn kernels and count to 30.  This allows for the oil and popcorn kernels to come to the same temperature with out anything burning.  Then place the pot back on the heat with the lid on.

When you hear the kernels begin to pop, prop the lid open and shake the pot back and forth over the burner so you don’t burn the popcorn.  Keep going until the popping has slowed down.

Pour into a bowl and season with your favorite seasoning, salt or even some cheese powder from your food storage.  Don’t add the salt to the oil before cooking the popcorn, for some reason this does CRAZY things and the popcorn doesn’t cook as well.