dad’s popcorn

I know I’ve blogged about this before, but I cannot find the pictures….so I’m blogging it again.

My dad is great at many things, but one thing he’s known for in our family (and with a lot of friends) is his popcorn-making abilities.

Seriously.

He uses a pot that used to belong to my grandma, until it was taken camping years and years ago and she gave up and let him have it. The wooden handle is technically broken, and you have to hold it just right to tip it over – but he swears by that pot. In fact, when he comes to visit (even when I was in college and he visited me at school), he brings the popcorn pot. There’s a whole process to popcorn night.

First, there’s the pot:

He uses corn oil and yellow popcorn kernels – NOT white. Apparently, there is a difference.


I have fond memories of eating popcorn on Saturday mornings while watching cartoons, out of one of the large metal bowls.

The popcorn is emptied into the metal bowl before it can burn.

It’s almost ready….

Salt is then added, and a stick of butter (real butter, no substitutes) is melted in the already-warm pot.

Finally, the butter is added.


After that, the popcorn is then tossed so it doesn’t get soggy. It’s the perfect combination of butter and salt.

Last night, my dad made three batches – one for everyone to eat, one to leave at our house, and one for the road. My grandma (who is staying with my dad and stepmom in Florida for the winter) had this conversation with my stepmom…
Grandma: Does he make the popcorn at home?
Gail: No, only when he visits the kids.
Grandma (in a very serious tone): You don’t mean that.
And we all had a laugh at that one.

If I ever meet you in real life, and my dad happens to be around, you can bet that popcorn will be made. And then you can really see why we’re so obsessed. 🙂