make it pop

popcorn is hands down my favorite snack. in fact, i have been known to eat it for dinner when the boyfriend is out of town (a very balanced meal, i know.) we don't have a microwave, so the whirley pop is essential to my popcorn preparation. in my opinion, popcorn tastes so much better when made on the stovetop, not to mention that you have total control of the ingredients!

1. orville redenbacher original popcorn kernels (check the nut aisle in the grocery store!)
2. whirley pop stovetop popcorn popper
3. antica dispensa truffle oil from williams sonoma

all you do is add a little oil, heat it on high, throw half a cup of kernels in, spin it around and wait for the popping to slow down!

i usually use olive oil and season generously with salt, though given my proclivity for kitchen creativity, i like to doctor it up here and there! one of my favorite variations is adding a drizzle of truffle oil to the oil in the popper to infuse each kernel with truffley goodness. finish with salt, pepper, and some minced parsley! 

i also like to make kettle corn as a sweet-savory dessert: after adding the kernels to the heated oil, wait for the first ones to pop and quickly add two tablespoons of sugar and one tablespoon of salt to the popper. the sugar caramelizes each kernel, and the salt gives that savory kick!