OIL FOR POPCORN MACHINE RECIPES

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid over a medium heat. Toss the popcorn kernels in the oil to coat. Put the lid on, and keep over a medium heat until you hear the first popcorn pop, then turn the heat to medium-low. When you begin to hear lots of popping, give the pan a shake. Continue to shake frequently until the popping stops. Turn off the heat and leave in the pan.
• Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Put the sugar and 60ml water into a medium heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then leave over a medium heat, without stirring, for 6-8 mins. It should start to turn into a golden caramel, swirl it around and add the butter – stand back as it may spit a little. Stir well until combined.
• Pour the caramel over the popcorn in the pan and stir immediately to coat the popcorn, being careful not to touch the hot caramel. Carefully transfer onto the lined baking tray and press down with the back of a spoon to spread evenly. Leave to cool for 5 mins, then break apart and eat.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 3-quart saucepan on medium high heat. If you are using coconut oil, allow all of the solid oil to melt.
• Put 3 or 4 popcorn kernels into the oil and cover the pan.
• When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer. Cover, remove from heat and count 30 seconds. (Count out loud; it's fun to do with kids.) This method first heats the oil to the right temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when they are put back on the heat, they all pop at about the same time.
• Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping soon, and all at once. Once the popping starts in earnest, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release (the popcorn will be drier and crisper). Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and dump the popcorn immediately into a wide bowl. With this technique, nearly all of the kernels pop, and nothing burns.
• If you are adding butter, you can easily melt it by placing the butter in the now empty, but hot pan. Note that if you let the butter get just a little bit brown, it will add an even more intense, buttery flavor to the butter and to your popcorn. (Here's more info on how to brown butter.) Just drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn and toss to distribute.
• Add salt to taste