Pop your own popcorn?

[girliepurple]

I searched Kippy's boards for the popcorn recipe where you buy your own kernels and use brown paper lunch bags and microwave your own? Or was the the WW WPA board I saw it on? I can't fiiiiiind iiiiitt!...

Anyway, anybody have the instructions? I'm psyched to do this and add my own flavors. How much popcorn, start popping on high for 3 min.? and stop it when the kernels stop popping? What ingredients does everyone use to make flavored?
;D
Thanks!

[becky]

I do this all the time, because I like to control the serving size and the amount and types of flavoring. My dad showed me how to do this many years ago, when microwave ovens were first available. He learned the trick in the Army Air Corps, using microwave technology for communications during WWII.

Take a small, plain brown paper lunch bag and put in about 2 tablespoons popcorn kernals. (I buy bulk popcorn, which pops better than the gourmet kind, using this method.) Fold the top of the bag over 2 or 3 times, so it won't come open. Then microwave on high for about 1 minute and 45 seconds, or until popping slows way down. There will be some unpopped kernals. Spray with olive oil spray or ICBINB, and season.

YMMV... depending on the corn and your microwave oven. I experimented with this with results ranging from too many unpopped kernals to a flaming bag in the mike.

I also make popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stovetop with my allowed oil, using gourmet corn.

Hope this helps.
Becky

[NikkiT723]

I do pretty much what Becky does, but here's a "recipe" for it anyway, for people who like to follow formal recipes:

Paper Bag Popcorn – 2 points

Here’s a way to get convenient microwave popcorn without all the salt, preservatives, a
nd hydrogenated fats that come with the commercial variety.

3 tbsp popcorn kernels – makes just enough for one
1 lunch size brown paper bag
2 pieces of tape
Salt to taste
Butter spray (I Can't Believe It's Not Butter is good)
or olive oil

Put popcorn in the bag. Fold the top over twice and secure with the tape. (you don't even really need the tape if you fold it over a few times.)
Microwave for about 2 to 2 ½ minutes on high, or until you hear the kernels finish popping.
Transfer to a bowl and spray with the butter spray or drizzle with olive oil. Add Salt to taste.

Serves: 1

Calories: 110
Total Fat: 1.5
Sat Fat: 0

[NikkiT723]

And I will add, my favorite way is to really pop the corn on the stovetop in olive oil. Just pour 1-2 tsp. oil in a big enough pot (at least 3 quarts), add about 1/4 cup popcorn. Cover and heat over med to med-hi heat, shaking the pot occasionally until all kernels are popped. Yum!

[mabsieb]

Hi there --

Just saw in the thread that popcorn in a bag was 2 points? Is that true?

[cgoza]

I do the microwave brown bag popcorn all the time...two to three tablespoons popcorn, fold bag over several times and pop on its side for 2 - 2-1/2 mins, till popping slows down (took a few times w/some burnt popcorn to get the timing down)...transfer to bowl, spray w/icbn, sprinkle w/popcorn salt AND splenda and sometimes a little cinnamon! YUMMY....want some right now!!!

oh...and if you're doing core, it shouldn't be any points!

[sft1947]

i use 3 different meathods
i have a hot air popper (can get them at target, bed-bath-beyond, etc)--they are a counter top item. i spray the popped corn with ICBINB spray and a bit of PURE Canola spray, chili powder, garlic pow--sometimes a sprinkle of parm cheese
or
i do the lunch bag in the micro meathod
or
health food stores carry BEARITOS brand microwave popcorn (packaged like reg mico popcorn only without any oil, salt etc). this is a bitmore expensive but i carry them in my car for staff meetings, etc so i won't be tempted to eat chips or other junk foods