HM Popcorn?

freakyogre

I could have written this post myself! I tried it in a pan too and had the same result (I was quite worried my smoke detector might go off!)

When my brother and sister visited last week I tried it in the microwave (funnily enough as it was popping, we were talking about the time we tried to melt chew bars and destroyed a bowl). When I opened the door and lifted the bowl, the base was stuck to the microwave

We cleaned that up, then tried it in a glass bowl with a plate on top and that seemed to work, although there were a lot of unpopped kernels.

Then I got a look of disgust when I sprinkled salt on mine Shame it doesn't stick

aless02

Our method: put enough oil only to barely coat botton of saucepan. Same for kernels - 1 layer at bottom of saucepan (unless your pan is really shallow, then you prolly want less). Put lid on tight and turn on medium heat. Once the FIRST kernel pops, remove from heat for 1 minute. After 1 minute, return to heat and let it pop (shaking around occassionally to keep from burning) until there is more than 3 seconds after the last kernel pops. Once you hit that magical 3 seconds, remove immediately from heat but keep the lid on for a few more seconds as kernels will keep popping.

I then shake some salt all over and enjoy!

We found this method works best for not burning popcorn...got it from my mom.

mrbadexample

It must be easy - even I can make popcorn!

To make a decent sized panful, I heat 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan. Once it's heated a bit, and is nice and runny, I tilt the pan to coat the sides with oil too. If I don't do this then it sticks to the sides and burns. Add about half a cup of popping corn, on a medium - high heat. Once they start popping, hold down the lid and shake like hell. Stop when you get no pops for 5-10 seconds.

Lightly sprinkle with salt. :drool:

Silaqui

Haha there is always one little b**** that decides to wait untill a second after you've taken the lid off before it pops, showering you with freshly cooked popcorn!

Agree with the shaking method though, on my gas hob the smallest ring doesn't get it hot enough, and the medium sized rings are too hot, so I hold the pan just above the medium ring and shake side to side and up and down.

Salt not sugar!

paulwf

The popcorn makers that use hot air are very easy to use and very healthy as no oil. We got ours for £15, with some searching I'm sure you could get one for under a tenner. Given that HM popcorn costs around 10p a time the cost of the appliance soon pays for itself over shop bought popcorn.

cuca

I have one of the popcorn machines, but it tends to make a mess as the popcorn shoots out at high speed and it has quite a wide opening. If i want to make some quick for the kids, I get a brown paper bag, put in the seeds and fold the bag over twice to close it. Then I pop that it micro for a couple minutes. When the popping starts to slow down, I take it out. There are always a few unpopped ones, but you can put these back in the micro again.

Slinky_Malinky

Never tried the hob method, and the microwave popcorn often burns for me and has lots of unpopped kernels. Last year I bought my son a popcorn maker from Lidl for Christmas which cost around £7. As well as cooking the popcorn really well it has great entertainment value as ds thinks it is hilarious when the odd popped corn flies accross the room.
So far he has been happy to eat it plain, but I would like to try some sort topping. He doesn`t like butter though so I am thinking maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar

culpepper

you can make it in the microwave in a paper bag.
Make sure the bag isnt stapled anywhere.
Put a handful of popcorn in just as it is, fold over the top of the bag a few times and put in microwave.
Zap it on high for a minute and check, then another minute and check etc till you know how long it will take in your strength of microwave.
I think ours does it in about 3 minutes.
You need to watch all the time to be safe but no washing up.

Tracey04

does anyone know how to make cinnamon or chilli / curry popcorn?
Just add the spice at the end?
Thanks

frivolous_fay

Meh... I had to go out and buy corn and the shop didn't have any