Popcorn at home

[cjsadler]

Water and fat can combine to cause this nasty popping phenomenon when heated. The water vaporizes and sends fat flying in tiny explosions. Perhaps water got into the fatback from the blanching (?)

[Andrew Fenton]

That was my thought too: there was some water clinging to the fatback when you started rendering it, and when the fat started to melt, the water started a-poppin'.

[mrbigjas]

Interesting. Thanks for the replies.

Why, then, does nearly every recipe about how to render lard tell you to start with a little water, to kinda get things started? And in the past, when I've done that, it never happened?

Could that be because in that case I wasn't actually blanching the fat, so the water didn't actually get into the fat, and therefore boils off before things have a chance to pop?

[fifi]

Could that be because in that case I wasn't actually blanching the fat, so the water didn't actually get into the fat, and therefore boils off before things have a chance to pop?

That is about right. Besides, rendering the lard is done at much more gentle temperatures so you wouldn't get the popping.

Now what I want to know is what the "popcorn" tasted like.

[mrbigjas]

The truth is, I got so sick of it popping and spraying hot fat all over that I decided enough fat had rendered (it had), so even though the bits and pieces weren't brown, I pulled them out--and since they weren't brown, I didn't feel like eating them, so I tossed them.

Don't worry, there are several more chunks of salted fatback in the fridge. Lard for all. There are very few things in the world that aren't improved by it in some way.

[snowangel]

I must add that popcorn popped in bacon fat is really good.

[maxmillan]

I got myself one of those popcorn popping pans with the rotating handle. However, I need flavoring and would like to make my own. Butter is my favorite and I like to use a spray bottle to distribute the melted butter but think it will clog.

I heard of spraying with flavored oil to use in the spray bottle but haven't seen one better tasting than butter. The spray bottle allocates less fat than pouring it onto the popcorn. Any suggestion how to spray the butter?

I thought of spraying healthy oil, such as flax, and adding a powder flavoring.

Any suggestion for flavoring? I like savory so sweet is out of the question.

Thank you.

[sparrowgrass]

I put olive oil in my sprayer, and then sprinkle the popcornwith nutritional yeast.

[slbunge]

We also do nutritional yeast when we are looking for more than just salt.

Seasoned salt and lime juice can be tasty. We use Penzey's seasoned salt.

[Squeat Mungry]

parmigiano reggiano

[bloviatrix]

Chili powder

[MArkF]

For my kids...lemon pepper...

Mark

[lala]

A spritz of olive oil, freshly grated parm, and pepper.

Or, to recreate a treat from my childhood, buy a package of mac & cheese that uses the powdered cheese. Butter the popcorn, and sprinkle the cheese powder on, to taste. Fantastic with grape soda (if you're a teenager! )

[eunny jang]

I like cumin on my popcorn.

[EdS]

I second the parmigiano-reggiano, freshly grated. I figure that since popcorn is corn and polenta is corn, what works with polenta would work with popcorn. That's the delusion that I'm living.

Edited November 4, 2004 by esvoboda (log)

[petite tête de chou]

Tabasco, black pepper, salt, butter. Good with beer.

[Mayhaw Man]

Tamari with a sprinkle of brewers yeast

[K8memphis]

Dude, Dude, Dude, Dude, Dude

pop it in BACON GREASE

oh

my

gosh

There simply is no equal - pop it in a tablespoon or two of bacon grease - or add that to some regular oil - after popping use a little butta & salt - and you can use a very minimum of butta or butta spray.

In fact, I do this in the microwave. I just heat the bacon grease in a big pyrex bowl for 2 mins, add the popcorn, stir it up, cover with regular plastic wrap - pop - remove the plastic wrap quick so it doesn't steam too much - drizzle with the butta & sprinkle with the salt - fasten your seatbelt and lick your chops for popcorn heaven.

Edited November 4, 2004 by K8memphis (log)

[snowangel]

Dude, Dude, Dude, Dude, Dude

pop it in BACON GREASE

oh

my

gosh

There simply is no equal - pop it in a tablespoon or two of bacon grease -  or add that to some regular oil - after popping use a little butta & salt - and you can use a very minimum of butta or butta spray.

←

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

[Fred12fred]

I put olive oil in my sprayer, and then sprinkle  the popcornwith nutritional yeast.

←

I've always heard that nutritional yeast is good on popcorn, but I've also heard that it can give you a severe case of gas...so I've been leery of trying it

True, false?

[turophile]

When I don't put butter on I spray on olive oil and Soy Sauce then sprinkle on a mixture of spices that include Cayenne, Chili Powder, Cumin and Oregano. It is tasty, savory and low fat.

[jgm]

I got myself one of those popcorn popping pans with the rotating handle.  However, I need flavoring and would like to make my own.  Butter is my favorite and I like to use a spray bottle to distribute the melted butter but think it will clog.   

I heard of spraying with flavored oil to use in the spray bottle but haven't seen one better tasting than butter.  The spray bottle allocates less fat than pouring it onto the popcorn.  Any suggestion how to spray the butter? 

I thought of spraying healthy oil, such as flax, and adding a powder flavoring.

Any suggestion for flavoring?  I like savory so sweet is out of the question.

Thank you.

←

Sprinkle with a combination of lemon pepper, dill weed, garlic powder, and salt. Awesome and addictive.

[linlee]

Olive oil and Zatar makes a different (but wonderful) taste.

[Thesorus]

I put olive oil in my sprayer, and then sprinkle  the popcornwith nutritional yeast.

←

Huh ? what's nutritional yeast ? I clueless ... I have to look for it/some. best to look at a vegetarian/natural store ?

I'm traditional with my popcorn, oil in the pan and a bit a fine salt.

[fierydrunk]

Bragg's Liquid Aminos and Nutritional Yeast....YUM!