Popcorn Popping
Apr 14th, 2008 by Marie
While popcorn is popping on the apricot trees, we are eager pop as well. I love to get out the ancient popcorn popping machine and pop corn from scratch.
When I did this activity for my Kindergarten students, they didn’t know what this machine was. I grew up on real popped popcorn, so I forget that we live in an age where the microwave is king. We eat lots of microwave popcorn too, but my kids think it’s the most fun when we pop it ourselves.
We watch the corn kernels get poured in and how they whir around. We see it start to form as it gets hotter inside, and out it POPS into the bowl. (Remember not to touch the hot kernels that go flying.) Sometimes we will sing “Popcorn Popping” until it starts to pop.
We melt some butter and spread it around the fresh popcorn, then sprinkle a little salt to taste. We fill up our popcorn boxes and start to eat the goods. I suggest purchasing a popcorn popper from almost any store for usually under $20. It makes delicious popcorn and is a fun activity for the kids.
I grew up on “real” popcorn also - we had a “Whirley Pop” that you put on the stove and turn the handle until the popcorn starts popping. Real popcorn tastes so much better, and you’re right - it’s a lot more fun to make as well. I have many fond memories of eating popcorn for dinner on Sunday nights since our main meal was after church in the afternoon. That’s a tradition I want to bring into my own family. I love your blog!
Okay, I bought those same popcorn tubs (from the $ section at Target) right before Valentine’s Day - how funny! I’ve been meaning to get a popcorn popper for a while now, since that’s the only way Mack could have popcorn - you’ve inspired me, Marie!
I love your recipes and ideas!
I also love air popped popcorn. A recipe you should try - I promise it is going to be LOVED by all
After you have airpopped the popcorn (a big family bowl size), sprinkle the popcorn with 1/4 to 1/2 Parmesan Cheese (the kind in the green can) and 1/2 tsp salt.
It is my favorite way to eat popcorn and my mouth is salivating right now thinking about it!
Looks yummy. I can hardly remember my pre-microwave days! (And we didn’t get one till I was 6!)
We only pop the real stuff at our house! I also grew up on it and I just cant go to the microwave stuff! I remember eating it at your house when we had sleepovers all the time! Good times!
haha, we have those little popcorn containers too! we use them for family movie nights; they’re so cute. it is fun to make the old fashioned popcorn.
Marie,
Loved reading this. When I was a kid, there was no air pop popcorn - only the kind that plugged into a socket and had a large metal dome covering a hot little pan. You’d pour oil into it, followed by the corn, put the lid on and wait until the popping was finished.
It was good stuff. In fact, it’s similar in taste to movie theater pop corn.
Also, a few years back, we ran out of butter but had whipping cream. Within a few minutes, we had that whipped into butter, melted it and poured it on our popcorn. I’m telling you, that was the best popcorn ever.
I just found your blog and I’m loving it! We recently got an air popper and have “popcorn parties” all the time. So much fun! Just one question: how does the popcorn song go? I have a song for everything (according to my husband), but I don’t have a popcorn song! Please share!
Ashlie - Fun memories.
Neffgang - I love the idea of making your own butter and putting it on your popcorn. That sounds delish. I will have to try that one.
OTJenH - I love that you have Popcorn Parties. What fun. Here are the words to the Popcorn Song and click on the link for the tune (look up Popcorn Song under the P’s).
Popcorn Popping:
I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise
Blossoms popping right before my eyes
I could take an armful and make a treat
A popcorn ball that would be so sweet
It wasn’t really so, but it seemed to be
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!
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