Popcorn
January 19th is National Popcorn Day
Facts about Popcorn
- What makes popcorn pop? Not all corn pops, only types of corn having at least 14% water content will pop.
- Popcorn’s name comes from the Middle English word "poppe" meaning "explosive sound".
- Before 1880, popping corn was often difficult and messy, losing much of the corn into the fire. Then several new devices were created for popping corn, and in 1907 the first electric popcorn popper appeared. Popcorn today is popped in many different ways;
in skillets, air poppers, microwave ovens, pans, and even woks.
Books for Children
- A fun and extremely informative book is The Popcorn Book by Tomie DePaola. This book includes a simple description of the myths, tall tales, and fascinating true history surrounding popcorn, as well as two recipes to try. (amazon.com has it)
- Another entertaining book, purely fiction, is The Popcorn Shop by Alice Low. Perfect for pre-readers or beginning readers, this book is available with a cassette tape for listening along. (amazon.com has it)
Cooking Popcorn in a Wok
January 19th is National Popcorn Day
Facts about Popcorn
- What makes popcorn pop? Not all corn pops, only types of corn having at least 14% water content will pop.
- Popcorn’s name comes from the Middle English word "poppe" meaning "explosive sound".
- Before 1880, popping corn was often difficult and messy, losing much of the corn into the fire. Then several new devices were created for popping corn, and in 1907 the first electric popcorn popper appeared. Popcorn today is popped in many different ways; in skillets, air poppers, microwave ovens, pans, and even woks.
Books for Children
- A fun and extremely informative book is The Popcorn Book by Tomie DePaola. This book includes a simple description of the myths, tall tales, and fascinating true history surrounding popcorn, as well as two recipes to try. (amazon.com has it)
- Another entertaining book, purely fiction, is The Popcorn Shop by Alice Low. Perfect for pre-readers or beginning readers, this book is available with a cassette tape for listening along. (amazon.com has it)
Cooking Popcorn in a Wok
What is a "wok"?
It is a metal bowl-shaped pan that is often used to cook oriental stir fry dishes. The shape is actually parabolic, causing the food, oil, and other liquids to fall to the center of the pan during cooking.If you have a wok in the house, try using it to cook popcorn. The shape causes the unpopped kernels to stay in the oil directly over the heat. The popcorn cooks very quickly and nearly every kernel will pop.
How to Cook Popcorn in a Wok
- You may have to experiment with the amount of popcorn, oil, and heat to make perfect popcorn.
- This works best with 1/4 or 1/3 cup of popcorn. With practice you can get up to 1/2 cup, but that will fill most woks when the popcorn is fully popped.
- The first time you try this, you will have to determine the amount of oil to put in your wok.
- Start by putting 1/4 cup of popcorn into the bottom of the wok (while it is still cold).
- Make a note of how far up the side the popcorn rises.
- Remove the popcorn before you continue with the instructions.
- You will need enough oil to cover the kernels.
- Put enough oil in the pan to cover the popcorn kernels.
- Use a medium heat. On a gas stove, this would be the point where the flame is full and nearly straight up (not flaring out to the sides of the pan).
- Place three kernels in the oil and cover the wok tightly.
- When the three kernels have popped (this will not take long), put the remaining popcorn into the wok and quickly stir the kernels with a wooden spoon. Then replace the cover and hold it tightly.
- Slowly rock the wok as the popcorn is heating. When it begins to pop you can stop moving the wok.
- When the popping slows to one pop per second or less, turn off the heat but do not remove the lid. Wait until the kernels stop popping altogether.
- Open the wok and enjoy!
Ideas for Seasoning
Most people are familiar with popcorn seasoned with melted butter and salt, but there may be no limit to the number of wonderful ways you can season your popcorn. Try some of these ideas the next time you make popcorn.
- Brown sugar and cinnamon - you may want to use a little melted butter to help it stick to the popcorn
- Chili powder
- Brewer's yeast
- Paprika
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Garlic salt
- Soy sauce - sprinkle lightly
- Chocolate syrup - yes, this is VERY messy but oh so good
- Old Bay brand seasoning
- Colored cake decorating sugar
- Concentrated lemon juice - sprinkle it lightly with a spoon
- Black pepper
- Hot sauce
- Popcorn can also be used in place of crackers in tomato soup
Popcorn Art
Popcorn Snow Collage
You will need:- blue or black construction paper
- popped popcorn
- glue
- fabric scraps or other collage materials (optional)
- white chalk (optional)
Select a black, dark blue, or light blue piece of construction paper. Using already popped popcorn (air popped is best so that your art work is not oily) glue the popcorn pieces down to create a three dimensional snow scene. Bits of fabric, felt, aluminum foil, cellophane, or buttons can add interest to snow drifts, snowy city or farm scapes, or snowpeople. White chalk can be used to create additional details.
Rainbow Popcorn Art
You will need:- white construction paper
- popped popcorn
- glue
- food coloring
- resealable plastic bags (one for each color of food coloring)
- old newspapers
Select one color of food coloring and drip 1 or 2 drops into a resealable plastic bag. Place already popped popcorn (air popped is best so that your art work is not oily) inside the plastic bag, seal it shut, and shake until the popcorn pieces are spattered with color. Add another drop of color or more popcorn as needed. Dump the colored popcorn out onto newspaper to dry. Repeat this procedure for each color you desire.
When the colored popcorn is dry, use the glue to create a mosaic on the piece of white construction paper. Variations can include different colors of construction paper for the background, or try gluing the pieces to poster board covered in aluminum foil. Add some unpopped kernels for small details, or break the popped pieces for smaller rainbow colored details.
Popcorn Links
- The Popcorn Board This site has nearly anything you would want to know about popcorn, including ideas for educators, nutritional information, and craft ideas.
- The Wyandot Popcorn Museum in Marion, OH. The site states that this museum has the "world's largest collection of popcorn poppers and peanut roasters" - many pictures and lots of interesting information.
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