Popcorn on the cob

Every week the little girl I nanny for and I go to Ardenwood to help Ranger Ira feed the sheep or goats, our reward is a piece of popcorn on the cob.  Ranger Ira said we could take the kernels off and pop it in oil or an air popper but we could also pop it in the microwave right off the cob.  I decided to try it and here's what happened.  And how you can do it.


This only works with popcorn, other types of corn don't pop.  Amazon sells some popcorn cobs but you may also be able to buy them at farmers markets.  Or get them from Ranger Ira.

Place the ear of corn in a paper bag, this is a simple paper sandwich bag.  And fold down the top a few times.

Place the bag in the microwave, set the timer for 2 minutes.  It will take a little while for the popping to start but once it does the bag will start expanding.  Keep an eye on it and listen.  When it stops popping pull the bag out even if there is time left.

Open the bag CAREFULLY, it will be hot and steam may come out when you open it.  You probably want to have a look and see what happened but don't put your face over the bag when you open it.  That would be pretty stupid, I know because I did it the first time I made it.

Tip the bag into a big bowl, there will be a bunch of kernels and your cob, it will make a pretty big bowl of popcorn.

Your ear of corn will look like this.  Be careful when you pick it up it will still be pretty hot.  Most of the popcorn has come off but there is still some popped corn on the cob.

Add the topping of your choice.  This time we used some agave nectar and kept some wipes handy for sticky hands.










Very delicious and depending on what you put on the popcorn very healthy too.  Plus we get to help feed the animals.