How to make the most delicious popcorn I’ve ever had

Buttery popcorn without butter

The most delicious popcorn I’ve ever had was not in some movie theater. It wasn’t some exotic flavor in a gourmet restaurant. It was, of all places, in the remote jungles of Indonesia.

There was nothing special about the popcorn per se. The secret was obviously in the oil…extra virgin coconut oil, which the women made by cooking the coconut for hours until the fat separated.

After I came back home, I tried to re-create the yummy-ness and found that I could.

Vegan Buttery-Tasting Popcorn
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil
2 Tablespoons popcorn (preferably organic)
salt to taste

Place the oil and ONE popcorn kernel into a pot with a tight-fitting lid. Put on high or medium-high heat.

One kernel of popcorn and coconut oil in the pot

When the kernel pops, add the remaining popcorn. Hold the lid on with one hand and use the other to move the pot back and forth over the burner rapidly, to prevent burning.

Use a pot with a tight-fitting lid

After about 40-60 seconds, the corn will start to pop. This lasts for about 20-30 seconds.

Watch out–there is a bit of sputtering. Keep that lid on!

AS SOON AS the corn stops, remove it from heat, and dump it into a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and enjoy!

Extra virgin coconut oil can be found in a health food store. Be sure it’s food grade, not cosmetic grade. It probably won’t say as much on the label. Look for guidelines as to how much to consume or how to add it to food; then you’ll know it’s food grade.

Don’t be surprised if you have to spoon it out of the container and it won’t pour. Coconut oil solidifies at 76 degrees F. It’s perfectly fine to use either solid or liquid.

You can try to use less oil, but in my experience, you lose the flavor. There is no real coconut flavor to the finished popcorn, only a luscious butteriness without the butter.

Looking for a shirt for a popcorn lover?

Gimme Popcorn Popcorn Lovers Shirt by alinaspencil
View other Popcorn shirt T-Shirts

Popcorn Lover’s Eye Candy, or How to remind yourself to eat healthy snacks

Looking for a unique gift for a popcorn lover? Get him or her this popcorn design cool mousepad/ mouse mat.

Gimme Popcorn Popcorn Lover Mouse Pad Mat by alinaspencil
See more Popcorn mousepad Mousepads

This design features a picture of popcorn kernels flying about, with the words, “Gimme Popcorn.”

Looks good enough to eat. In fact, it’s a great way to remind yourself to eat healthy snacks. Did you know popcorn is a whole grain, full of fiber, with no cholesterol?

*Don’t like the white background? Click on “customize,” then “color,” “background,” and choose from the dropdown menu.

Don’t like your choice? Hit “revert” to try again.

Sugar Free, Fat Free Valentine Heart Candy

Guiltless Valentine candy hearts? What’s the catch? They’re only pictures of candy hearts, in a customizable design:

Personalized Heart Candy Travel MugTemplate by alinaspencil
Create ceramic coffee mugs on zazzle

This candy heart mug template has six Valentine’s day heart candy spaces for you to add your own message. Three hearts are on one side, three hearts are on the other side.

Create your own custom travel mug to keep or give away. Replace the words in the fields provided.

I love my travel mug. It keeps drinks hot or cold for a long time. Despite it looking like it is made of plastic, it is actually stainless steel; the white color is an enamel paint layer.

Don’t want a mug? How about a shirt?

Personalized Heart Candy Shirt by alinaspencil
T shirts from zazzle

You may want to make the font larger or smaller in order to fit your message. To do so, click on “customize.” This will take you to the Zazzle design tool.

Click on the appropriate bar. You’ll see a white box with a number in it. Click on the plus sign to the right of that number to make the font larger. Click on the minus sign to make it smaller. Use the arrow buttons to reposition the words if necessary.

If you have questions or need help, please email me at:
4alina@alinaspencil.com

Gimme Mochi Shirt

Calling all lovers of mochi, mochi balls, mochi ice cream, kinako mochi, anko mochi, zenzai and mochi on a stick!

If you love mochi as much as I do, you might want to get one of these shirts:

Gimme Mochi Shirt by alinaspencil

Mochi, rice cake, is a chewy, sticky, versatile food that is eaten in Japan as snacks and dessert. It can be fried, steamed, baked, grilled, put into soup, ice cream, and bread. It can be stuffed with sweetened beans (anko), coconut, peanut butter, or chocolate. It can be eaten sweet or savory, with soy sauce, roasted soy flour (kinako) or nori (seaweed).

Express your love of mochi with this shirt, which has pictures of various kinds of mochi. “Mochi” is in Japanese writing, plus “Gimme mochi!”

It’s traditionally eaten as the first thing on New Year’s Day…so be ready for it with this shirt.

Gifts for Chocoholics

If you liked the Chocolate Frozen Yogurt post or the Chocolate Coma Dinner Party, you might be a chocoholic.

Okay, I’ll stand up and say it: “I’m a chocoholic, and I’m not afraid to admit it!”

Express your love for chocolate with a “Chocoholic” shirt or mug:

Chocoholic Shirt by alinaspencil
Browse other Chocoholic T-Shirts

Don’t feel like wearing it? How about a bumper sticker?

Chocoholic Bumper Sticker by alinaspencil
View other Chocoholic Bumper Stickers

Just don’t get caught licking your car.

Click on either image to go to my Zazzle shop, where you can find other food-related shirts, aprons, and more.