This podcast re-visits Vancouver’s Chinatown with an archived Food For Thought piece from the year 2000, and my taste panel evaluates 3 kinds of microwave popcorn in anticipation of the Academy Awards show airing on TV this coming Sunday. The winner was Act II popcorn, beating out an organic competitor, Whole Alternatives, and Orville Redenbacher’s ‘Corn on the Cob’ flavour.
I am pleased to continue with three sponsors to my podcast this week, Folgers Coffee, Barilla Pasta, and web services provider GoDaddy.com.
To download the free cookbook I mentioned from Barilla, go to www.pastaloverscookbook.com.
For free samples of Folgers Gourmet Selections coffee, visit www.folgers.com/podshow. While quantities last, act soon!
And to take advantage of GoDaddy.com offers such as 10 percent off any order, use this code when you check out: eat1
Update: Try Making Your Own Microwave Popcorn
Late last week I received a note from listener Heather Webber, who makes her own style of microwave popcorn. I haven’t tried this in the test kitchen, so please be careful!
1. I use a paper lunch bag or one the size you get from a grocery
store bakery. I choose not to use those with lettering to avoid the
printer chemicals.
2. Pour in 1/4-1/3 cup of popcorn and fold over the top of the bag
about an inch and then again. (a double fold)
3. Put it in the microwave on popcorn setting. Sometimes I add an
extra 30 seconds to a minute if it was slow to start popping.
4. Put some butter or margarine in a microwavable cup and get a bowl
out.
5. As soon as you remove the bag from the microwave, put the butter
in for 15-20 seconds.
6. Pour the popcorn in the bowl, top with butter and add a touch of
salt. Enjoy.
7. The "old maids" in the bottom of the bowl can be re-popped in the
same bag, if you want to try. The best ones have the texture of
puffed wheat or corn, or even corn nuts.
8. I use the bag up to three times. I don’t think it is safe if the
bag has a lot of fat on it from re-poppings.
I heard about this from a friend in Alberta who uses a large paper
grocery bag to make popcorn for his family. I haven’t tried a big
grocery bag – maybe it works even better.
Have fun. Heather
