- Makes 4 cereal-bowls worth - 15 min -
Gather together…
1 tbsp coconut oil (solid at room temperature unless it is a warm day).
2 tbsp olive oil / rapeseed oil.
1/3 cup (80g) of popcorn kernels.
1 tbsp golden syrup / maple syrup / runny honey.
Get cooking…
1. Heat the oils (1 tbsp coconut oil and 2 tbsp olive / rapeseed oil) in a large lidded pan over a MEDIUM heat on the hob, until the coconut oil has fully melted and both oils have begun to warm through. This will take about two minutes, keep the lid off so you can see when the oil has melted. DON'T skip this stage and rush to put the 4 kernels in, or else they won't pop, they will just sort of slowly bake shut!
2. Drop 4 of the popcorn kernels (JUST 4 individual kernels) into the pan and put the lid on. Carefully shake the pan to coat the 4 kernels in oil.
3. Listen out for the 4 kernels popping. This will take 2 -3 minutes of waiting. Every minute swirl the pan carefully to even out the heat distribution.
4. As soon as the 4 kernels have popped, TURN OFF the heat and REMOVE the pan from the hot ring.
5. Tip the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels into the pre-heated oil (the 4 already popped kernels can stay in the pan).
6. Put the lid on the pan immediately and swirl to coat the kernels in hot oil.
7. Count slowly to THIRTY (thus giving the kernels 30 seconds to warm up equally, so they then cook through in the same amount of time).
8. Put the pan back onto the hob with the LID ON (but leave a small air gap for crispier popcorn) and heat the pan at a MEDIUM temperature until the rapid succession of popping noises have stopped (this should take only about 1 minute).
9. Turn OFF the heat.
10. Temporarily tip the hot popcorn into a large container (preferably the one you'll serve it in -to save on washing up).
11. Into the now-empty-but-still-very-warm pan, spoon the 1 tbsp of honey / syrup, so it melts and softens. Swirl it around to cover the base of the pan and then immediately, re-add the popcorn and stir to further distribute the sweet flavouring.
12. Serve immediately in 4 cereal bowls or in one large bowl (the Sockerkaka silicone heart shaped bowl from IKEA is ideal and cute) and enjoy the fresh, crispy popcorn. But do remember that popcorn is not suitable for young children, as it is a choking hazard.
13. Leave the empty pan to cool for 10 minutes before washing it, as it will be incredibly hot.
Adapted from the Perfect Popcorn recipe on the Good Food website.