Microwave popcorn without the bag!

[leopardstripes]

So, we've all heard about BPA's in our water bottles, cans, and baby bottles, and about how they mess with our kids' glandular systems (including their hormones), and how these are sometimes found in cancers, especially breast cancers. Thanks to an article that I read the other day, I found out that our microwave popcorn bags are LINED WITH THE STUFF, and more or less melt down into the popcorn! It's also laden with all kinds of nasty hydrogenated fats, and so on. So....
In order to STOP giving my kids a seriously contaminated batch of movie-night snackage, I figured out how to do micro corn, without the d*mned filthy, contaminating bag. Grab a 1.5- 2 quart Pyrex-type casserole dish with a lid. (It HAS to be microwave safe!) Into this, add:

1 t. oil (I used canola, but any cooking oil should work)
3 Tbsp. raw popcorn

I shook the casserole, sans lid, around to coat the kernels. Then, I set the microwave for 5 minutes, put the lid on, ran the corn in the micro, and watched closely. Ours popped most of the kernels in about 4.5 minutes. I then added sea salt, stirred it up, and had some FANTASTIC oil-popped corn for the boys! I would suggest that you watch closely, to make sure that you don't burn/undercook your corn, depending on your microwave, and to figure out what the right time is for your machine. But it's really good- crisp, tastes like actual popcorn, and is just as convenient as the bagged stuff- without the extra chemicals. 

[SMLounsbury]

Awesome.  We gave up bagged popcorn years ago but it has always been a loud pain in the behind to make it on the stove, so this will definitely come in handy!

[spirals420]

you can also use a regular brown paper (lunch) bag (or the ones the mushrooms come in at the grocery store)

just add the kernels into the bag roll up the edge a little bit (enough but not too much) and put in microwave. timing is harder because you cannot see it.  then add delicious flavours after its done. YUM!

another alternative if you do not have a microwaveable bowl with lid.


thanks for your tips too!!  now i want popcorn!!

[embercostumer]

I have an air popper, and I have to say it's saved us mucho $$ in the long run cause the bags of kernals are so much cheaper...plus I was wanting to cut down on my salts and butters so the air popped corn is much healthier. And less chemicalish too, apparently!

But it's nice to know that there's a microwave alternative for if our popper breaks!

[mrsflibble]

thanks so much, i had no idea you could make it in the microwave. and as for BPA...yeah. evil nastyness which is being eradicated from my home. began with my daughter's lunch things at the start of september.

[sharonelaine]

Cool idea!  I used to make mine on the stovetop, but it's pretty tough to get right with an electric stove.  Glad we're moving to a place with gas again. 

[I Sew Cute]

We went from using microwave popcorn to using a 'whirley popper' on top of the stove. It has a lever in the handle which you crank to make an arm on the inside of the pot stir up the kernels so they don't get burned while they pop. I absolutely adore it & use mine every week because I have a serious popcorn addiction! It tastes like how I remember my grandma's popcorn on the stove tasted! 
I may use this method of microwaving when I don't want to wait for it to cook on the stove for the kids.

If anyone is interested, here's the link to buy your own whirley popper: http://www.popcornpopper.com/

[CraftyLittleLady]

Mom taught us the stove-top technique, I always get sore arm muscles afterward due to lifting and shaking.  Nice exercise, though.  This microwave technique is so simple and easy.  I want popcorn!

[LordVader]

We went from using microwave popcorn to using a 'whirley popper' on top of the stove. It has a lever in the handle which you crank to make an arm on the inside of the pot stir up the kernels so they don't get burned while they pop. I absolutely adore it & use mine every week because I have a serious popcorn addiction! It tastes like how I remember my grandma's popcorn on the stove tasted! 
I may use this method of microwaving when I don't want to wait for it to cook on the stove for the kids.

If anyone is interested, here's the link to buy your own whirley popper: http://www.popcornpopper.com/

If I recall correctly, they have them at Target, and possibly Wal-Mart too.

[r0ck0n]

you can also use a regular brown paper (lunch) bag (or the ones the mushrooms come in at the grocery store)

just add the kernels into the bag roll up the edge a little bit (enough but not too much) and put in microwave. timing is harder because you cannot see it.  then add delicious flavours after its done. YUM!

another alternative if you do not have a microwaveable bowl with lid.


thanks for your tips too!!  now i want popcorn!!

i assume oil doesn't have to be added to use the paper bag technique?

thank you, this microwave thing is something I'll have to try I've recently learned how to make it on the stove top, which i thoroughly enjoy not only for the health reasons (less worry of strange chemicals, etc) but simply for the freedom to flavor it as I please, with whatever odd spice  or seasoning strikes my fancy however, microwaving seems way easier than lugging around a huge pot on the stove!