I just love popcorn, all warm and salty, no butter, thank you. This stand, one of many in of a chain of them called "Pećina" (PEH-cheen-ya--another 'P'!) or 'cave,' stands across from the Cervantes Institute on Knez Mihailova, Belgrade's pedestrian street. A small bag (just enough for a quick tummy-filler) costs 30 dinars, or just under 50 cents, and you can see the prices go up from there. You can also buy a about a pound (500 grams) of unpopped kernels to take home. I love Pećina's because it is popped in a metal spinner that has just the right amount of oil so that it's not too greasy and not too dry. And I really like how they chain the little salt shaker to the stand.... (In the cup are little pieces of paper with contact info.)Which reminds me: Once at school I was telling my class how I had made popcorn the night before and had had just enough oil for the pot to make the popcorn I had left. I got blank stares, puzzled looks..."What pot?" they asked. "Oil?"
These are kids who only know microwaved popcorn or who use an air popper.... I explained how I waited for the burner to be hot, then put in just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pot, next a layer of popcorn to cover that, slapped on the lid, and shook the pot back and forth over the burner.
You could have heard a pin drop. "Can we make it like that sometime?" And so we did.
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23 comments:
One of those microwave poppers I'm afraid and only the sweet version. I wouldn't mind using a pot and some oil some time, but I don't think you can buy the normal corn over here...
Being a former teacher, I love your story...
Lois Anne is a popcorn aficionado! So is our Golden Retriever, Haley. The usually share a bag most evenings...microwaved, of course.
I like popcorn a lot and I really like this photograph, it's got everything going for it. It's been a while since I made popcorn on the stove - I used to use my pressure cooker without the gauge - I'll have to try it for old times sake.
Would have loved to see the looks on your students' faces! But, then, I remember making popcorn in the pre-microwave era. (On the other hand, I often nuke popcorn for dinner—thank you, Orville Redenbacher.)
Both my Mom and her Dad make popcorn almost every night. Always in a pan with a little oil. I do like a bit of real butter on mine. Don't like the micro version. How fun to share with your students.
Like the new header.
I prefer mine in a pot too, somehow they doesn't taste as nice when popped in the microwave. I love mine with caramel sugar, yummy!!
I love, love, love popcorn! I used to make it in a pan. Then I graduated to a popper that needed oil, then an air popper, and now I'm lazy and use the microwave. But still none is as good as Mom used to make on the stove. She knew just the right amount of oil to use. I never could get it right.
I'm with you! -- popcorn is one of the loves of my life, right up there with my husband & kids. Great letter "P" for today!
You mean people existed prior to the microwave? Life must have been so difficult way back then.
I would have loved to see the look on your students' face!!
It's hard to find untreated corn here if not impossible.
The teachable moment! I love it too but for some reason never make it for myself. I love the shackled salt shaker!
V
When I was a child, we always made popcorn on the stove, but the real thrill was when they came out with Jiffy Pop. That was the little disposable aluminum pan with a handle. You shook it over the burner and as the popcorn popped the foil cover puffed up and up. For some reason, we thought this was the coolest thing!
I too love popcorn!
When I was a little girl my Father made popcorn in his fireplace. He had a metal popcorn basket that he would shake in the fire and the corn would pop right up. We always had melted butter for it.
I remember that taste even after 50 years.
Sometimes it was burnt too. LOL!
Thanks for reminding me of pre microwaved popcorn.
Happy ABC Wednesday.
Sherry
Great post! Reminded me of how we fixed popcorn when I was a child, and as a former teacher I did so relate to your delightful classroom story. Thanks for sharing! Great shot, too!
Enjoy!
Sylvia
How nice that this isn't inside a theater and you can just stop for a few kernels. My local Ace Hardware store always has fresh popcorn, made in a real theater-style popper, available for customers.
Penny is the popcorn-freak at my house. I like it, but she almost can't live without it -:)
So, what is a pan? LOL!
They'd never made real popcorn?? Wow ...
Love the chain on the salt-shaker. Do people really steal those things? LOL!
Sometimes we take things for granted..
but many things changed since the last century!! and those youngsters love to remind it to us...me!!
Sweet sticky popcorn for me please!
Your example of the class just shows the state the world is in! Making it in a pot is the only way to do it. I bet they all make it like that now.
I'm sure they wonder how we survived the hardships of the pot and oil days! Perfect post.
The post above this mde me chuckle - People, people!
I love this photo Bibi, so crisp and clear with lots of interesting nooks and crannies filled with all different shapes and colors and textures.
I remember making popcorn like that too. Actually my mom always made it. I am pretty sure she used a pressure cooker. I'll have to ask her about that one!
I pretty much only eat popcorn at the movies. fresh, and yes, buttered.
I simply love popcorn and am a non-microwave popcorn lover :). Loved the pic of Pecina. Great P post.
Great story about the kids - I grew up with a popcorn pan. My dad usually made the popcorn but all three of us girls learned how to make it the real way before we left home :)
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