Old Fashioned Kettle Corn

Pour the canola oil into the Whirley-Pop pan. Use approximately 1/2 cup, or enough to cover the bottom or the pan without going up the sides.

Add the popcorn kernels, approximately 1/2 cup, or enough to provide a single layer over the oil in the bottom of the pan.

Then drop in your pat of butter, about one tablespoon. At this point you can close the cover.

Make sure you have a large bowl next to the stove, and wear an oven mitt on your left hand. Put your pan over medium to medium high heat on your stove, and have 1/3 cup of sugar ready. Once you hear the FIRST popping sound (this takes about 1-2 minutes), carefully open one side of the pan and drop your sugar in and then push the cover back down. Stand back while you do this because that oil is HOT and may splatter. Now with your right hand turn the side crank handle pretty steadily until you can no longer turn it. This is important so that your sugar and popcorn doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. As it starts to pop and fill up the pan remove from heat.

Once the popcorn is almost done popping one side of the cover will start to push open from the steam and pressure. This is why you need that bowl right there next to the stove ready for you to drop in the hot popcorn. I use my oven mitted hand to hold open that side cover and my other hand to shake the popcorn out into the bowl. It will be a little sticky from the sugar, so you may need to use a big spatula to help guide it out if it is stuck inside the pan.

Now season! It is important to balance out the sweetness with salt. Generously salt the popcorn, add a little pepper and then a few heavy sprinkles of maple sugar. You can’t really taste the “maple” but this is the secret ingredient that brings the flavors together. If you can’t find it locally you can order maple sugar from one of our favorite Vermont producers – Sugarbush Farms. Toss the popcorn and season again with all three seasonings – salt, pepper and maple sugar. You may need to use a big spoon to help toss it. Once you have seasoned it to taste cover with a clean dish towel and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Then eat and enjoy!