Way Beyond Butter - 4 Easy Microwave Popcorn Recipes in 3 Minutes or Less!
Do you like popcorn? How about crisp, super-easy to make popcorn in flavors that are fresher and better than store-bought? Popcorn you can't stop eating? You can make it whenever you want, fast!
Here's how I make it – and you can, too!
I use the Lekue Popcorn Popper, for sale at Port Plums (in The Tannery Marketplace, or online at PortPlums.com, for $22 plus tax and shipping). The platinum silicon bowl squishes nearly flat for storage but I never put mine away. I keep it washed (by dishwasher or just by hand) and ready for my next craving. . . that's every day.
You can always pop your corn without oil, but why not add flavor by using Port Plum's flavor-fused and infused olive oils? Start with the classic Butter Olive Oil, then go beyond. . . try savory Garlic, mellow Blood Orange, or hot Chipotle-Infused Olive Oil, or whatever flavor catches your taste buds.
For extra savor, mix or match any Salt Traders flavored sea salts, try a Salt Traders flavored sugar, or indulge in crave-able Black Truffle Sea Salt. Experiment with salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and “umami” - the five tastes that bring us satisfaction. It's all good!
The master recipe calls for a little less than ½ cup of popcorn kernels (a full ½ cup leaves too many unpopped kernels), 4 teaspoons of oil, and a ½ teaspoon or more of salt or sugar. . . always adjusting “to taste” - however you like it best.
General rule: Use the Lekue popcorn popper. Pour a scant ½ cup of popcorn kernels into the bottom of the bowl. Stir in oil(s) and seasonings. Place the lid on the popper. Put the popper in your microwave and turn it on. My microwave takes a little less than two minutes until popping slows – yours will vary.
Before the popcorn stops popping completely, remove the bowl from the microwave. (If you wait too long, the popcorn will burn. Better to underpop than overpop!) You will get the hang of your own microwave's capabilities quickly, adjusting timing for the best result.
Take out the bowl, remove the lid (look out for steam - lift the lid away from yourself), pour the popcorn into a serving bowl if you'd like, stir in any additional ingredients, and enjoy! Share the deliciousness, or keep it all for yourself. . . you can always make more!
Here are some easy recipes. Soon you'll be the Popcorn Master, enjoying your own custom-created, fresh, delicious popcorn to enjoy whenever you wish.
Cha Cha Chili Popcorn – this one has a hot kick
scant ½ cup popcorn kernels
1 tsp Cayenne Chili Infused Olive Oil
3 tsp mild to medium Extra Virgin Olive Oil
½ tsp Aleppo Chile Salt
Chocolate Orange Popcorn – sweet and crunchy
scant ½ cup popcorn kernels
4 tsp Blood Orange Olive Oil
½ tsp Vanilla Salt
stir together and pop, then remove from microwave and stir in until melted:
mini chocolate chips or grated chocolate, to taste
grated orange zest, optional
Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn – savory!
scant ½ cup popcorn kernels
4 tsp Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
½ tsp Nordur Icelandic Sea Salt
stir together and pop, then remove from microwave and stir in:
grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
The Port Plums Classic – sooooo good
scant ½ cup popcorn kernels
4 tsp Garlic Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Black Truffle Sea Salt, or more to taste
Come to Port Plums in The Tannery Marketplace for more recipes and delicious samples at our free demonstration: our next event is Saturday, April 22, from 2 to 4 pm. Leighann – our Popcorn Master - will walk you through the easy instructions, give out take-home recipes, and offer plenty of samples. I'll be the one sneaking tastes! See you then!
- Linda