About 70 percent of the 16 billion quarts of popcorn consumed annually is eaten at home. And with 80 percent of U.S. consumer households owning a microwave, this small kitchen appliance has become a popular way to prepare the popular snack (click here for more fun facts about popcorn).
With just a scoop of popcorn, a brown paper bag and a little oil and salt, you can pop up your own bag of microwave popcorn. Making it at home lets you season it just the way you like it and is an economical solution. A bag of popping corn costs as little as $1 and can make up to 16 quarts, or 64 cups, of popcorn!
So before your next family movie night, or other snack-worthy event, gather up the follow ingredients:
- ¼ cup of popcorn kernels
- 1 tsp. oil (vegetable or olive)
- ¼ to ½ tsp. of salt (to taste, or try other seasonings of your choice)
- Brown paper bag (the ones you use to carry your lunch or make a hand puppet)
Then follow these simple steps:
- Pour the popcorn kernels, oil and salt (or other seasonings) into the brown paper bag.
- Fold the top of the bag down two to three times and fold the corners in so that popcorn won’t spill in the microwave.
- Give the bag a good shake to mix up the oil and salt. Then place in the microwave, seam side down, for 2-3 minutes.
- Listen for the pops to slow to 2-3 seconds between each one and remove from the microwave.
- Give the bag one more shake and open carefully. Steam will be hot!
- Fold down the bag (or tear down the sides like we did!) or pour popcorn in a bowl and enjoy!
