Stove Top Popcorn

If you've been hangin' out with me for a while here at the Double Wide you will know that we LOVE movies!  Once a week {usually Friday} we have  Family Movie Night.  We usually get take out and have a carpet picnic while we watch the movie.
You HAVE to have popcorn with your movie!

I used to make microwave popcorn, until I talked to my brother. {Who is a total foodie}  He told me all about the terrible things that are in microwave popcorn and how easy it is to make it on the stove top.  I have to admit I was skeptical.  I mean we have come a long way since stove top popcorn.  However he convinced me to give it a try because as he said "It tastes so much better".
I have made our popcorn this way for over a year now.  It's fantastic!!  Everyone in the family LOVES it .  It cheaper, just as easy, better for you, and tastes better, what's not to love?

The funny thing is the kiddos were given a bag of microwave popcorn a little while ago.  They were so excited to pop it and eat it.  Until they tasted it.  My 7 year old ate about 2 bites and said  "I don't like this it doesn't taste like popcorn!"  They are so spoiled.
Want to know how to make your own stove top popcorn?  It easy, peasy!

First you need a large metal bowl.  Use one you don't care about it will get ruined!  Like this one, it's been banged up and used for all sorts of things.

You will also need popcorn kernels.  A tip about the kernels ~  I am as cheap as the next person.  However don't buy the super cheap store brand kernels.  They don't pop well and the popcorn doesn't taste as good.  Go ahead and spend the extra 2-3 dollars and get the good ones.  It's worth it.

Before you get started it's easiest if you gather all of your supplies.
Vegetable oil
popcorn kernels  {1 cup}
large metal bowl
salt {to taste}
butter {melted, I use one stick or 1/2 cup, you can use more or less to taste}
a second large bowl
tin foil
hot pads
If you have one on hand you might want a little person to help stir the popcorn after it comes off the stove.

{Isn't he cute!}

Put your bowl right on the stove.  Put tin foil over most of the bowl.  Turn your burner on high.  You want to get your metal bowl screaming hot.  After your bowl is very hot and you have everything together, pour in your oil.  You want just enough to cover the bottom of the bowl.

After your oil gets hot {this only takes a couple of seconds}  you want to pour in your popcorn kernels.  I use one cup and it makes A LOT.
Cover the rest of the bowl with tin foil.  poke one small vent hole in the tin foil.  Using your hot pads hold the sides of the bowl and shake the bowl over burner.  Make sure you keep moving the bowl or you will burn the popcorn.

The popcorn will pop pretty quickly.  They really shoot all over the place, just look at the tin foil from the top of the bowl.

Immediately dump the popcorn into another bowl.  In the time it took me to snap one photo some of the popcorn on the bottom of the bowl burned. {sad and stinky}  However almost all the kernels popped that's pretty good!

Top however you like.  We love just butter and salt.  For the large bowlful I use about 1/2 cup of butter and salt to taste.  However I have used this carmel corn recipe and it is fantastic!

Yummy!    Go old school with your popcorn!

Thanks for stoppin' by and hangin' out.

I will be linking up to these fantastic parties.