It’s such an unmistakable sound, yet I don’t know how to even begin to describe it. I could hear it coming from anywhere in the house and be immediately aware of what’s happening, but every time I stop and think about how to spell it or put it into words, I am flummoxed. 

So distinct, and so indistinct. An art form, all unto its own: my daughter, eating popcorn. 

You know the pop-pop-pop explosions as popcorn is being made, and the crunch as it is munched. Without even knowing you were paying attention, you probably also know the sound popcorn makes as handfuls are collected out of the bowl (oddly reminding me of footsteps in fresh snow, a little squeaky and airy); and if you eat like my family does, the sound of those handfuls being subsequently crammed into mouths that can’t quite fit the entire delivery. 

There’s more: the sharp tumble of hundreds of kernels being measured out, the raspy creak as our Stir-Crazy popper arm rotates along the base, the gentle landing of a shower of salt and the scraping flow as you toss the popcorn in the bowl to disperse the seasonings. The nearly imperceptible shush and crush of stray flakes — the technical term for pieces of popped popcorn — as they invariably fall to the floor and get stepped on. There’s even the muted yet semi-frantic sound popcorn makes as it deflates in contact with a liquid (we used to always have orange juliuses with popcorn on Sunday evenings, and I liked to toss a handful into mine to eat off the top, all soggy and weird). 

All these, and more; popcorn music to my ears. Can you tell I’ve been a popcorn person all my life?

But none of these are the sound of Kiah and her popcorn. Hers is a combination of many of the above, particularly the handful-to-mouth-cramming, but it comes with her very own sound effects as she tilts her little head back. She audibly portrays and overdramatizes the idea of her mouth opening wide; envision a comic book character snarfing down some food. The closest I can get is something between a lion cub’s roar and a hungry hedgehog? Sounds that don’t accompany eating but somehow also completely illustrate it, 17-month-old style. 

It’s going to be incredibly annoying if she doesn’t grow out of the habit before she is much older, but for now I find it ridiculously endearing. 

Interestingly, we often get popcorn delivered directly to our door. While we typically prefer cash or Venmo for milk, our octogenarian neighbor at some point decided that he would pay for his weekly gallons with a couple bags of freshly popped popcorn. We love the barter system, and popcorn, so while it’s not necessarily an equitable trade, I’m not about to argue. He really enjoys making and sharing it, and we enjoy eating it. 

Is popcorn hard or time-consuming to make? Not even close. Is it still easier to just open the twistie and dive into the bag? Absolutely. 

Oh, I forgot another popcorn sound Kiah makes — the shrieks of dramatic glee and subsequent pitter-patter of small tottering feet as she spies and snatches a fresh bag. 

Parmesan Pickle 

Popcorn

Even with my penchant for all sorts of crazy flavors, there is something neverendingly inviting about plain and simple popcorn. But you already know how to make that, so of course here is a less common idea for that every once in a while you want to munch on something different. Make it how you like it, either by the serving or by the giant bowlful — although sometimes those are one and the same. I’m just glad I had time to snatch a photo before Kiah ran away clutching the bowl aggressively. 

Prep tips: If you don’t have a popcorn popper (either the appliance or the neighbor) you can always do it on the stovetop in a covered pot or in a paper bag in the microwave! The salt & vinegar seasoning really amps up the pickley flavor and adds some nice acid, but still try the parm and dill even if you don’t have it.

• popped popcorn (still warm is nice but not essential)

• a drizzle of melted butter

• a good sprinkle of shredded parmesan (not the canister kind)

• a couple dashes of dried dill weed

• powdered salt & vinegar seasoning OR fine salt to taste 

Toss all ingredients to taste. Eat in giant mouthfuls before your children can steal it all. 

Amanda Miller lives with her husband, two young children, and whoever else God brings them through foster care on the family dairy farm in Hutchinson. She enjoys doing some catering, teaching cooking classes, and freelancing, but mostly chasing after her kids. Reach her at hyperpeanutbutter@gmail.com.