Posted on 01/19/2018 7:04:44 AM PST by EdnaMode
Today is National Popcorn Day. Why today? Some pundits declare that it is scheduled around “big game” time, which perhaps does make some sense. At any rate, we have a few “big games” coming up, so consider this inspiration for the next couple of weeks.
In the mid-1890s Charles Cretors, a candy store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam. As soon as the popped corn became easily available, people were clamoring for more. By 1900, Cretors had horse-drawn wagons selling it through the streets of Chicago.
Around the same time, Louis Rueckheim had the idea of adding peanuts and molasses to popped corn, which brought Cracker Jack into the world. In 1908, when “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” became the national anthem of baseball, Cracker Jack and baseball became one and the same.
Americans had one more so-called romance with popcorn that had a slower start, but eventually did take off. Who can imagine going to the movies and settling down without a bag of buttered popcorn?
The popcorn itself was an economical choice for a snack food—but the expense of purchasing, installing, and ventilating a machine didn’t seem worth it. Purchasing a bag of popcorn from a street vendor made more sense, but Glen Dickson decided to take a risk and put in the effort and expense of placing machines inside his theaters. Once he saw how quickly his costs were recouped, other owners followed suit, and popcorn and movies became as solid a marriage as Cracker Jack and baseball.
(Excerpt) Read more at capenews.net ...
Good post and appropriate for today’s events.
Thanks.
National Popcorn Day.....and soon a Government Shut Down, now there’s a combination to celebrate indeed!!!
Uhuh. I fully agree.
A literal sh!tstorm is about to hit the swamp.
Cook’s Country Homemade Buttered Popcorn Recipe
To make stovetop popcorn that’s just as easy as the microwave kind, we start by heating three “test” kernels with vegetable oil in a saucepan until the kernels pop—that means the oil’s hot enough. We add the rest of the kernels off the burner, letting them heat up for 30 seconds to ensure even cooking. After that, it takes just a few minutes over medium-high heat with the lid slightly ajar for all the corn to pop. A few choice seasonings and you’re ready for movie night.
MAKES 14 CUPS
You don’t need to shake the pan as the corn pops.
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat oil and 3 kernels in large saucepan over medium-high heat until kernels pop. Remove pan from heat, add remaining kernels, cover, and let sit for 30 seconds.
2. Return pan to medium-high heat. Continue to cook with lid slightly ajar until popping slows to about 2 seconds between pops. Transfer popcorn to large bowl. Add melted butter and toss to coat popcorn. Add salt and toss to combine. Serve.
TEST KITCHEN TECHNIQUE: LEAVE LID AJAR
With our method, you don’t have to shake the pan steadily—or at all—while the corn pops. But do keep the lid slightly ajar so the steam, but not the popping kernels, can escape, guaranteeing crispy, light popcorn.
Can you substitute bacon grease for the vegetable oil?
i usually face plant into a tin of caramel and cheese popcorn 1ce a year. The best!!
That’s an interesting tip to let it sit for 30 seconds.
I sometimes sprinkle on cayenne and curry powder for a change of pace. Delish.
I got a hot air popper last week. It doesn’t leave that film on the roof of your mouth like microwave corn. No salt, butter since it is dry.
Yes, lots of popcorn going down the hatch this weekend.
FWIW, I volunteer for an outdoor cinema program during the Summer months, and we learned how to make theater popcorn. It is not difficult. Use any fresh yellow popcorn, Snappy, for instance, use fresh yellow coconut oil, and a judicious amount of Flavacol mixed into the oil. Flavacol is an inexpensive proprietary salt/butter dry granular mixture available at popcorn supply outlets. It is important that the popcorn and oil be fresh for the best results.
popcorn is one of the few things i really miss right now on my HFLC weight-loss diet - especially with so much popcorn-worthy news ...
(BTW, diet is working great - loss 17 pounds so far, and lipid panel numbers have improved dramatically from before, leaving my cardiologist shaking his head ...)
Probably, but at the expense of overpowering that pure popcorn flavor. Personal preference, though.
Oh, those tins are THE BEST! :)
You’re welcome :D
Thanks for sharing!
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