Pin it. Do it. Week 6.

Paper Bag Popcorn

Even before I started cutting out processed foods, I didn't like microwave popcorn.  Being in the micro GenX era, I figured that meant I didn't like popcorn at all.

That is, until I met my future husband's family, and his dad made real popcorn.  It actually tasted like food!  So after we got married, Husband bought an air popper from a Goodwill store.  You know, the ones that look like a tower with an orange plastic windsock hanging off of it?  You put your bowl underneath the orange shoot, pour in your popcorn, and plug it in.  It's so nice and easy, but man did that thing take up space in our kitchen, especially considering it is a total Unitasker.  

Regardless, the thing was useless when we found out we were moving to Europe, because of the need for a power supply.  (Although Husband has a fondness for this particular gadget, so I am pretty sure I conceded and put it into storage instead of giving it away).

We had an air popper for the microwave, but again, unitasker and space eater.  Plus it needed these special cup things you put in the bottom so the corn actually pops, which gets expensive after a while.  

So when I ran across this on Pinterest, I was skeptical but knew I had to try it.  Guess what?  Yeah, it works like a charm.  Fits my criteria of ease, ease, and simplicity.

I know, you can make popcorn on the stove and then you don't use the microwave at all.  But it's hot, messy, and time consuming.  We do use the stovetop sometimes, but seriously, it doesn't get much easier than this:

1. Dump popcorn in a bag (we put 1/2 cup into a paper lunch sack and it fits perfectly)
2. Fold top down twice
3. Turn microwave on and stop it when pops slow to about 2 seconds apart
4. Finish with your choice of topping and enjoy

Although we usually use paper lunch sacks (and reuse them for as long as possible or put them in the junk art bin), we have also repurposed a large paper grocery sack.  Just cut it down so it isn't so tall, and then you have more capacity for a family sized bowl.  And right now I'm fine with using the microwave for things like this.  Some day that may change, but for now this Pin is a keeper.