Real Buttered Popcorn

1. Put the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 kernels of popcorn and cover the pot. Put the butter in a small saucepan over low heat; when the butter melts, remove the pot from the heat.
2. When the 3 kernels pop, remove the lid from the pot and add the remaining corn. Cover and shake the pot once or twice, holding the lid on. Cook, shaking occasionally, as the corn begins to pop vigorously. Adjust the heat—and remove the pot from the burner briefly if needed—to keep the corn popping steadily without burning. When you can count to 3 between pops, 3 to 5 minutes after adding the corn, remove the pot from the heat.
3. Pour the popcorn into a large bowl, drizzle with the butter, and sprinkle with a big pinch of salt. Toss, taste and add more salt if you like, and serve.

—Recipe from How to Cook Everything: The Basics