Popcorn Addiction?

*do you recognize this scene?

Lately, I've had a hankering for popcorn - every night after dinner. This only happens every six months or so, thankfully. Although microwave popcorn has its place, I suppose, but it also has weird ingredients that I don't particularly want to eat. Plus the "butter" flavor is so unlike any butter I've ever had; it's not a bad taste, necessarily, but it's certainly not butter-like. I pop my corn in a pan, with oil, the old-fashioned way. I don't want to waste counterspace on an air-popper but wouldn't mind one of those jiffy pop pans that puff up (entertainment AND snack - what more can you ask for? Actually, they didn't work so well, as I recall. I think I burnt myself on the little metal handle AND now that I think about it, didn't it ALWAYS burn?)

Anywho, tonight I tried shaking lots of different spice mixes on top of my regular popcorn fix (and a little butter.) The salt-free garlic and herb was a winner (from McCormick's spices), especially with a liberal shake of rosemary added. Other winners were Penzey's BBQ 3000 and Penzey's Southwest Seasoning. Taco seasoning that comes in the little packets would probably work. I tried hot cocoa mix but it didn't really work so great.

Anyway, here is a link to a tutorial for making your own homemade microwave popcorn, in case you're interested:

http://www.diylife.com/2007/10/15/green-microwave-popcorn/


* this is the laser popcorn scene at the end of "Real Genius", a must-see 80's film starring Val Kilmer.