Obsessing Over Popcorn
My favorite comfort snack in the world? Air-popped popcorn with real melted butter and salt along with a bubbly, fresh Coca-Cola on ice. If my life is temporarily sucking, this homey salty snack literally comforts me from the inside out. I remember my mother making this snack most weekends as we got ready to watch football on the couch.
But let’s face it - most weeks I can’t calorically afford to have real butter on my popcorn. Right now, I’ve got to drop a quick 5 pounds so that I can fit into my summer clothes and hit La Jolla Shores in a few weeks. When I’m particularly health-conscious, microwave popcorn is one of the main ways I make it through the long, stomach-grumbling afternoons.
That is, until I read about this recent study that says scientists have found that carcinogenic chemicals on the inside of microwave popcorn bags are rubbing off (more than they previously thought) and getting on the popcorn. I just can’t have that! There’s enough disease in my family gene pool already… I don’t need to be adding more risk factors.
In the CNN news video I watched on this topic, they recommended putting a fourth cup of kernels in a brown paper lunch bag and stapling it shut. Solution found! Until I told my husband my plan and he said, “What?!? You can’t put metal staples in the microwave. Are you crazy?”
So, I started to think, “How could I quickly and easily enjoy a small portion of fiber-heavy, filling, satisfying popcorn in the afternoons in a healthier manner?” Of course, I’m not willing to sacrifice too much taste. I know it won’t taste as yummy and rich and soul-sating buttery as my full-fat version. But what could I do?
Yesterday I figured it out. I airpopped 3 tablespoons of kernels which is just the right amount to fit in my preferred popcorn bowl. As it comes out of the popper hot and fresh, I spray olive oil spray and dusting the popcorn with Butter Buds and a little salt to taste. I know it takes a little longer than the microwave popcorn, but I feel better because this is healthier and hardly calories are added with the use of the butter flavoring and the olive oil spray.
In the spice section of the grocery store, I almost chose the Molly McButter brand, but it has partially hydrogenated oils in it. Butter Buds are all natural and the ingredients aren’t bad at all.
So if you’re not having a shitty day and are, thus, not in need of the full-fat popcorn life remedy, try my new healthy non-carcinogenic way to have a light, salty snack in the afternoon!
I heard that about microwave popcorn too and I stopped buying it. I like your solution and intend to try it out. P.S. great blog site.
Comment by Jack Kress — May 10, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
Thank God people are getting the fact that microwave popcorn is gross and unhealthy-trans fats and all. We do it the old fashioned way in a big pot… use a little rice oil-smoke point 490 and then put fresh parmesean and a little cayenne pepper…major snack.
Comment by elle — May 10, 2006 @ 6:18 pm
I used to have an airpopper a really long time ago. It was one of my favorite appliances. I don’t know what happened to it though, maybe it broke and someone threw it out. Now we don’t have a microwave either and all popcorn has to be made on the stove!
Comment by From Our Kitchen — May 11, 2006 @ 6:01 am
Wow, as a popcorn lover myslef, I never knew that. Thank you for sharing that information, very helpful!
~Dianka
Comment by Dianka — May 11, 2006 @ 9:25 am
You can put staples in the microwave…Alton Brown’s popcorn recipe uses the stapled paper bag method and it’s pretty good! http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_14234,00.html
Comment by LB, late of comfort food — May 11, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
Air poppepd popcorn is my favorite and I always end up dousing it with melted butter (and sometimes a bit of honey too!!). I think I’ll have to try the butter buds way, after all, summer is almost here!
Comment by jeannette — May 12, 2006 @ 10:08 am
I share your popcorn obsession. I prefer airpopped to microwave and love to add all sorts of flavorings like garam masala or chili powder. I will definitely be trying your Butter Buds idea!
Comment by Rorie — May 12, 2006 @ 6:39 pm
Oh, do I have a recipe idea for you! One of the “Best American Recipe” books featured a foccacia recipe made with ground up popped pop corn as part of the flour.
Brewers yeast is one of my favorite popcorn toppings
Comment by McAuliflower — May 14, 2006 @ 3:42 pm
I love popcorn. I am looking to buy a good air popper what would you recommend. I love the idea that you are not using the microwave and adding olive oil for taste. I just came across you blog I also write a food blog. If you get a chance check it out at ChefTami
Comment by Tami — May 14, 2006 @ 10:59 pm
Yeah, I was going to say, staples in the paper bag in the microwave is actually quite safe. It’s only when you have a significant mass of metal that arcing in the microwave happens, and the worst that does is shorten the lifespan of the oven’s magnetron gizmo that generates the microwaves. The mass of the paperclips compared to that of the paper bag is so small that there won’t be any arcing.
Comment by Ellen Brenner — May 15, 2006 @ 8:13 pm
Oops, that “paperclips” in my previous post should be “staples”–that’s funny how my subconscious substituted another metal office fastener.
Comment by Ellen Brenner — May 15, 2006 @ 8:15 pm
Actually, I do my popcorn in a bag in the microwave - I just fold over the bag a couple times, and it stays closed without staples. And no fat!
Comment by casey — May 16, 2006 @ 7:27 am
I make popcorn in a big pan on the stovetop. 1/2 teaspoon of oil for about 3/4 cup kernels. It makes a LOT of popcorn, and because I buy the kernels in bulk at Whole Foods, a 3/4 of a cup costs about eighteen cents.
Comment by Rachael — May 20, 2006 @ 6:45 am
I use to make my popcorn in microwave. There is only one secret here - you need secelet the right vendor…
I’m too lazy to prepare such junk foods by myself
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