Saturday, August 19, 2006

Popcorn - the thrill has gone


Popcorn was always one of my comfort foods. There was nothing like being at home on an overcast day with a good book or the newspaper, and a cold beer to wash down that wonderful combination of popcorn, butter and salt (representing the three major food groups, right?).

First of all, my lifelong love of beer has taken a hit, because I just can't handle more than a glass or two of beer, usually medium strength, per week. The exception to this is when Dad is here to visit, in which case it's a two-week testing of a variety of beers for quality control purposes only...

So the other day, when the overcast day came around and I still had some of the newspaper to read, I thought "Popcorn!", but without the beer. This was my first popcorn in quite a while, and it just did not do anything for me. Does this mean I am finally growing up? Or that I'm too worried about cracking a tooth on some stray unpopped kernels? Be that as it may, I can still get a kick out of sites such as the Encyclopedia of Popcorn, which is clearly aimed at primary school kids. So maybe I haven't grown up after all.

13 comments:

Annette said...

HP Books put out a popcorn cookbook years ago. It had a cake recipe in it that is a near match to the one on the Encyclopedia of Popcorn website. My stepkids from my first marriage loved that cake for their birthdays. I am here to tell you that even in my twenties that cake was cloyingly sweet!

You have convinced me that I am glad I never connected beer and popcorn. My drink of choice with the fluffy food is iced tea!

Annette

Val said...

Annette,
One childhood memory I have of popcorn is of the popcorn balls Mom used to make. The popped corn was rolled in some incredibly sticky mixture which included corn syrup. Can't believe we used to eat that, and that Mom put herself through that surely uncomfortable experience!

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Maybe you need a glass of beer to go with your popcorn?

Carole Burant said...

To this day my favourite snack is still popcorn...with loads of butter and salt!! I usually like a tall glass of milk with it:-) I don't make a very good Canadian...I hate beer! lol

Robert said...

Popcorns is one of my favorite foods, although I never tried it with beer. Although I loved beer (it's not just for breakfast anymore), I prefer diet orange soft drink with it.

Also, I used to be a purist. I stayed away from microwave popcorn and any "flavored" varieties until recently. Last Christmas my niece sent me a collection of flavored popcorn from The Popcorn Factory. I really was blown away by what I missed.

My happiest memories of childhood include popcorn. During the summer months, my mother would fill paper shopping bags with buttered popcorn and my family would go to the local drive-in to watch the latest Disney movie. What a disappoitment to find out he was a rat for McCarthy...

Val said...

Thanks for sharing your popcorn memories with me! But Pea: butter, salt and milk?

I used to be fascinated by those use-once-and-throw-away popcorn pans (oh, the wasted resources!)and the foil would gradually expand to make a dome of popcorn. I was always a bit old fashioned about it, would just pop it in a heavy duty pot with just the right capacity. One day I'm going to do a post on our beloved cooking gear, most of which we've had for 30 years or more. I am quite emotionally attached to most pieces. Silly, huh?

Granny said...

I used to help my mom make popcorn balls. My brother and I did the sticky part much as my girls mix the meatloaf for me now.

I still like popcorn but we've switched to the microwave. The girls can make their own. Color me lazy sometimes.

Val said...

AIP, I wish I could drink a glass of beer whenever I wanted to. Must be my aging stomach.

Granny, I’m sure the girls love to make their own popcorn. I rather like mixing minced meat with my hands. I make a variety of meatball recipes, a favorite being Greek meatballs.

Alice said...

Can I come on here and say that I almost hate popcorn, especially the smell of it at cinemas? I can't say that? Oh, sorry!

TJ said...

Oh Val...I love popcorn...I cannot watch a movie without it!!
I am just "popping" in to let you know I am back from visiting with my daughter and grandkids...thanks for stopping by the other day!!
:-D

Jeff said...

I love popcorn, but hate beer. Actually, I hardly ever eat popcorn at home, but if I'm at a movie, I can't resist it. I'll eat it every time.

I used to go to movies for free (was in the industry) and so I'd buy popcorn (that's where their money is) and I guess I got addicted...
My popcorn machines blog

Kerri said...

My hubby loves popcorn! How can ANYONE hate the smell of popcorn Alice? I hardly ever eat it, even though I like it....can't stand the way the little bits stick in my teeth.
I used to like really weak shandies (spelling?). We don't have your kind of lemonade over here...well, you know about that Val. Yankies think I'm crazy when I say I like lemonade in my beer :) I haven't had a shandy in years...since I was in Oz in 2003. Plain beer is too bitter for me. So it would have to be iced tea for me!

WendyAs said...

Popcorn is a staple in my home too. Never had it with beer but excellent with a cold glass of sav.blanc. Yummmy. Just the thing before bed. I can't see giving it up quite yet.