a) spontaneous cursing at computer monitors
b) a noticeable reduction in attention by 3 pm on Fridays
c) constant scavenging for sustenance called "snacks"I'm not going to admit to the first two, but I'm certainly a snack scavenger. There is always food in the office, whether it be bowls of candy, doughnuts, or leftover birthday cake. I can usually leave the sweets alone, but watch out if someone cracks open some potato chips, I'll be diving in head-first.
But no one likes a mooch, so this week I purchased crackers and microwave popcorn with the specific purpose of keeping it at the office. And today, a rainy September day with a chill in the air, I decided to try out the popcorn.
In our house, we make popcorn in a pot on the stove. No, we don't have kerosene lamps and horses tied up out front. I just have a general dislike for one-food-specific kitchen appliances: no rice cooker, no waffle maker, no crepe maker, no salad spinner, no popcorn maker. I must mention two notable exceptions: an ice-cream maker and a toaster. Try taking my toaster away and you'll see two pretty little fists coming after you.
So being accustomed to stove-top popcorn, I forgot how flimsy microwave popcorn kernels can be. I forgot about the filmy plastic grease coating that you get on your hands and in your mouth. I forgot how much the crusty microwave bag stinks. I basically forgot how much microwave popcorn sucks.
And then I realized I'd been had. All this time, I thought only Orville Redenbacher knew the secret to making popcorn conveniently in the microwave. How naive. My buddy Mark has shown me the light by clarifying that YOU CAN MAKE MICROWAVE POPCORN WITH REGULAR POPCORN KERNELS IN A PAPER BAG! Eureka! I tried it, it most definitely works, and I'd show pics to prove it except my dear hubby accidently took the bag with the camera in it to work. So just take my word for it.
B's favorite popcorn topping: lime juice with seasoned salt
B's favorite popcorn-worthy movie: Mean Girls
K's favorite popcorn topping: half a stick of melted butter with kosher salt
K's favorite popcorn-worthy movie: The Godfather
Alton Brown goes by the same guidelines -- he doesn't buy anything that won't have multiple purposes. Although I think he has given a few exceptions throughout the years, too. And, the ice-cream maker really doesn't count -- you can make sorbet, frozen cokes, etc., right? I really enjoy your blog, Beth, so I bet there are way more than three faitful viewers! : )
ReplyDeleteoops... faithful
ReplyDeleteBeth I am on your same page about the toaster! Couldn't live without toast! My biggest comfort food! Any great ideas about how to prepare portabello mushroom caps..vegetarian style?
ReplyDeleteY'all are so sweet to comment! Thanks, jj, for justifying my ice cream maker indulgence. Frozen coke in an ice cream maker, I must check this out, I'm sure it can be done. And Miss Steph, my toast soul sistah, I must admit I have only enjoyed good portabellos in restaurants, but I'm thinking grilled, over a good crusty bread and/or salad, with chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and balsamic vinegar would be a fantastic start...a bit too Tuscany? I don't know, I'm a sucker for olives.
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