Movie Theater Popcorn Seriously Recipes

THEATER-STYLE BUTTERED POPCORN

Steps:

• Movie theaters use butter-flavored oil, which has a lower water content than butter so it makes popcorn less soggy. Real clarified butter has the same effect. To make it, melt 2 sticks butter in a glass measuring cup in the microwave. Let sit for a few minutes; the butter will separate into 3 layers. Skim off the top layer of foam, then slowly pour the clarified butter into a heatproof container; discard the bottom layer of milk solids. Use 3 tablespoons hot clarified butter for 10 cups popcorn; refrigerate the rest (it's great for sauteeing).

PERFECT MOVIE POPCORN

Steps:

• Pour in the oil and heat the pan until oil shimmers, to about 400 degrees F(or medium high heat).
• Test one kernel by throwing it into the oil; place the lid on the popper and wait until it pops. Pour the rest of the popcorn into the pan, stirring the kernels until they are evenly coated.
• Cook for three minutes, exactly.
• Here's a tip from the Popcorn Council: "Old Maids" is a term for kernels that fail to pop and are often found at the bottom of the popcorn bowl. They can, however, be rejuvenated. The water in kernels is what causes popcorn to pop, so all you need to do is re-hydrate the dried kernels. David Woodside, author of What Makes Popcorn Pop? suggests filling "a one-quart jar three-quarters full of popcorn and adding one tablespoon of water. Cover the jar with an airtight lid and give it a few good shakes every few minutes until the popcorn has absorbed all the water. Store the jar in a cool place." Woodside says in two or three days you can test-pop a batch of kernels. If you still get old maids, add a few more drops of water to the jar, shake it, and let it sit for a few more days.

HOMESTYLE MOVIE THEATER POPCORN

Steps:

• FOR A NON-GREASY "POPPED-IN" BUTTER FLAVOR -- INCREASE POPPING OIL TO 1/3-1/2 CUP, THEN SKIP ADDING THE TOPPING OIL. FOR AN ALTERNATIVE VERSION, USE PURE EXPELLER-PRESSED COCONUT OIL AS THE ONLY OIL (ADD 1/3-1/2 CUP COCONUT OIL BEFORE POPPING, THEN SEASON WITH SALT).
• SELECT a large heavy-bottomed 3 quart pot with an accompanying lid and place over medium heat.
• ADD 1/4 cup Orville Redenbacher's Buttery Flavor Popping & Topping oil.
• DROP a 3 or 4 popcorn kernals into pot and cover; WAIT until at least one kernal pops.
• UNCOVER and add 1/2 cup popcorn.
• COVER again then swirl pot gently to saturate kernals.
• AFTER kernals begin to pop, shake pan every few seconds until popping slows down.
• TURN off heat when popping slows down.
• REMOVE from heat, remove lid and season popcorn immediately with salt.
• SERVE and enjoy.

MOVIE-THEATER-STYLE POPCORN

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a medium heavy pot (preferably cast iron). Heat over high, stirring, until butter melts. Cover, reduce heat to medium-high, and cook, undisturbed, until kernels begin popping rapidly.
• Offset lid to create a 1/8-inch vent along one side of pot; continue cooking until popping begins to subside, about 2 minutes. Transfer popcorn to a large bowl; toss until cooled slightly, about 2 minutes. Serve.