Money Saving Monday: Homemade Popcorn

Making popcorn on the stove is a family tradition. (One that my husband highly values!) I learned how to make it watching my dad. When I was little, Friday nights were family night which usually entailed pizza, coke (the only time we ever had it when I was little), Star Trek, and popcorn made on the stove! Popcorn made on the stove is not only cheaper but it also tastes better and can be healthy!

First you will need a little grease. I keep an old jar of grease leftover from making french fries. My dad says it tastes better that way!

That is usually about how much I use. It actually looks like more than there really was.

I use Orville Redenbacher's popcorn kernels, and I keep them in the freezer so they will remain fresh longer!

I use three popcorn kernels to start with so that once they have popped I will know the grease is at the right temperature.

Waiting for the popcorn kernels to pop.

Once all three (unless you think one is an old maid) popcorn kernels pop add more. That is the point at which the grease is the right temperature.

I usually pour in enough to almost cover the bottom of the pan.

It is very important to keep a circular motion going so that you do not burn the popcorn!

Sometimes it will start to come right out of the pan!

Always make sure you have a bowl handy!

Yummm.....tasty stove top popcorn goodness!!!

I usually add salt to the popcorn right after it is popped and shake it a little to make sure it gets mixed in. I have tried butter before, but I prefer it with just salt. I have also been told that if you grind the salt to a powder that it will stick to the popcorn better. However, I have never had trouble with salt sticking as long as you do it while the popcorn is hot! Now you can enjoy fresh homemade popcorn instead of the stale stuff!

Special thanks goes to my husband for his excellent popcorn photographing skills!!