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Popcorn in a Pot (from How to Cook Everything Kids)

Photo: Ghazalle Badiozamani, Illustration: April Kim Tonin

BY Mark Bittman

PUBLISHED September 25, 2024

From How to Cook Everything Kids: Popcorn teaches you to cook with your nose and your ears. All the action happens in a covered pot, so you can’t even sneak a peek without getting popcorn everywhere.

 

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Popcorn in a Pot (from How to Cook Everything Kids)

Prevent your screen from going dark

Makes 4 servings (about 6 cups) 1x

Time 10 minutes

Units Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup popping corn
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt

Instructions

  1. Put the oil in a 2- or 3-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add 3 kernels of the popcorn.
  2. While you wait for the oil to heat, melt the butter in the microwave or in a small pot over medium heat. When it’s melted, put it near the stove and get a large bowl out.
  3. As soon as you smell the oil and hear the 3 kernels pop, take the lid off the pot and add all of the corn. Cover and shake the pot back and forth on the stove once or twice, holding the lid on. Cook, shaking every minute as the corn begins to go crazy popping.
  4. Adjust the heat so the oil and popcorn smell toasty, not like they’re burning. You can move the pot
    off the burner to cool it down fast. When you can count to 3 between pops, 3 to 5 minutes after adding the corn, take the pot off the heat.
  5. Carefully transfer the popcorn to the bowl with a big spoon, drizzle with the butter, sprinkle with salt, and scoop with the spoon from the bottom of the bowl to toss everything evenly. Eat right away or store in an airtight container for up to a day or 2.

Recipe variations

Toss the buttered popcorn with a little grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese if you like. Or add chopped nuts and dried fruit or raisins.

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