Popcorn is great snack. We’ve been told this by nutritionists, Pop Secret, Runner’s World etc. for year, but the truth is that despite how low cal or healthy it may be, its straight up delicious. The problem is that popcorn doesn’t travel well or hold well over time. So bringing leftover popcorn to office was just a stale, chewy let down.

Why not just buy microwaveable snack size packets? I never really thought about why I didn’t want to outside of the fact that I don’t have a microwave at home (which somehow clearly negates the possibility of purchasing made-for-the-microwave foods for work). Plus, I just don’t want any of the preservatives or excess sodium. I’d rather be in control of the ingredients.

Then I was reading Mark Bittman’s Food Matters, in which he discusses his habit of placing kernels, oil and salt in a paper bag and microwaving it at the office. Genious! However, I didn’t have any paper bags, but though maybe a Ziploc container would work. I quickly googled whether or not the lids were microwavable: they are. So I put about 2 tbsp of kernels in a 4 cup bowl-like container, tossed in some olive oil and sprinkled on some salt and totted it to work with me.

Now, I had absolutely no idea if this was the correct amount of kernels and got quite nervous while standing by the microwave alone (thankfully) and was picturing the excess of kernels making the largest possible mess. Turns out I shouldn’t underestimate my culinary aptitude: I was dead on. The container was full to the lid and not at all overflowing.

In order to be sure all the kernels popped, I set the microwave for 5 minutes and stood there and listened letting the popcorn pop until three seconds passed without a pop. All in all it took three and half minutes, but I’d set it for 5 and hang around the first time you try it as microwaves can differ.

Update: This is probably best done in a glass bowl or without oil, as the hot oil will melt your Ziploc container. My apologies to those who ran into this same problem. I likely should have waiting until I’d finished eating my popcorn and noticed the holes in the container before posting.