I know this is going to sound crass and low-budget.
They make miniature theatre-style popcorn makers. Yes, they look cheesy. Not something a true sophisticate would have in their homes. And as Alton would point out, it’s a large single-tasker.
And yet, at the heart of the incredibly kitch kitchen appliance, is a real, honest to god, miniature popcorn pot, just like the ones in the theatre, except smaller, complete with mechanical stir rod.
This is how GOD HERSELF intended man to pop popcorn. Two tablespoons of butter-flavored oil (don’t read the label too closely; just don’t make it for yourself too often; it contains hydrogenated trans-fat coconut oil and so many artificial flavorings your heart will explode just reading the ingredients), a third cup of popcorn, and let it go. Tip it out once you stop hearing popping. (Or tip it into a bowl and sacrifice the last little bit of popcorn if you let it go too long.)
Then it’s all about the finishing.
You can top it with salt and the bad-for-you artificial butter flavored oil used in Step 1. It tastes just like Movie Theatre popcorn - because, for all intents and purposes, it is movie theatre popcorn. Warning: this is really, really bad for you.
I like putting some real butter in the pot and pouring that over my popcorn. Slightly healthier for you. You’ll want salt, too.
There is a company named JD’s that makes vegetarian, kosher Bacon Salt. It is quite lovely on popcorn. There are companies that make powdered Cheddar seasoning; this is also quite lovely. Combined they are even better.
Cajohn’s Fiery Foods makes a couple of spices that are great on popcorn: Fire Dust and Jolokia Spice. (I would not put the Jolokia Rub on it, it uses sugar.)
You want to use a good fry salt for the popcorn. You can grind larger salts in a food processor to get the grain size down if it’s too big. Table Salt is not optimal but works OK, larger salts don’t work very well at all.
JD Food’s Faccon:
http://www.jdfoods.net/products/seasonings/
CaJohn’s Firey Foods spices:
