Popcorn question

[wordweaver]

I don't have a microwave, or an air popper. Is it possible to pop corn without oil in a pan on the stove without burning it? Haven't been brave enough to try that yet.

[dlb]

I have never tried it so I can't answer the question. However, I did want to say that air poppers can be rather cheap. I think I paid about $15 for mine.

Donna

[Carol]

If you look at some of the older posts here, this topic comes up every month or so. Well, maybe not popping it in a dry pan, but the question about popping with no oil.

Many (like myself) use a brown paper lunch bag in the microwave oven. I have an air popper, but it's loud and at the end the popcorn flies around the room. My cats like that part, but I don't.

Others prefer their air poppers.

[wordweaver]

Yes, I've read about popping without oil in the microwave, but hadn't read anything about on the stove.

[slugmom]

::jumping up and down excitedly::

yes!!

I did pop some in my pan, without oil. I used a nonstick pan, put the lid on a little crooked so it was vented, and kept shaking it. If you let it sit without shaking, the seeds and the already popped ones will start to burn.

so it's not something you can start popping and walk away from, but it DID work for me ...

you don't have to shake constantly, but very frequently.

[wordweaver]

Yippy Skippy!

[esam5]

since I saw the misleading video about 99% fat free,

I would like to know how you make popcorn in a paperbag in the micro???

do you seal the bad somehow, or just fold it over......
this intrigues me


~e

[Carol]

esam5,

For the paper-bag method, I fold the top over twice and put a small piece of tape on it. And I put 1/2 cup of kernals in there. Timing is all about the microwave oven and varies. Not all kernals pop. I heard soaking them in water first cures that problem, but I haven't tried it. (I'm in too big a hurry for my popcorn)

[CLane]

This is just a thought: What about putting the popcorn in the top part of a steamer pan and leave the bottom part empty while it heats? I've never tried it but it sounds feasible.
Microwaves are getting pretty cheap now t
I microwave mine in a brown bag while the top rolled shut for 2 min. Then scoop out the popped kernels, reclose and cook remainder for another minute or two. It pretty much all pops this way.

[esam5]

Ok, I tried it!!! First of all I couldn't find a paperbag, so I grabbed a manilla envelope! the seam split and I had popcorn flying all over the micro, but hey, it was worth it!! Haha
Thanks so much for the tip!!
E

[Dania]

i watched on Good Eats, FoodNetwork. use one of those big metal bowls with the small base. you cant use anything with a wide botom or it wil burn.
put foil over the top . i dont think oil is necessary.
YOU MUST KEEP MOVIN THE BOWL ON THE FIRE. AROUND AND AROUND.

[Dania]

i watched on Good Eats, FoodNetwork. use one of those big metal bowls with the small base. you cant use anything with a wide botom or it wil burn.
put foil over the top . i dont think oil is necessary.
YOU MUST KEEP MOVIN THE BOWL ON THE FIRE. AROUND AND AROUND.

[healthyME]

I would love to hear what those out there use to flavor their popcorn.

Sheila

[CLane]

I just use a very tiny amou nt of sea salt for flavoring
I think you could try that vegan parmesan soy cheese sprinkle but it would add fat.
If you are adventurous, try different spices
Please let me know if you stumble upon a winner. Thanks

[Carol]

Favorite flavorings:
- salt and nutritional yeast flakes; or
- salt and a tiny bit of garlic powder (a little garlic powder goes a long
way)
- salt, agave nectar, nutritional yeast flakes (this is supposed to give you
the flavor of caramel corn, but it's a bit too sweat for my tastes)

I keep a water spray bottle on the counter and I spritz with the water so the ingredients stick to the popcorn.