Sure it’s easy (and delicious) to whip up some microwave popcorn in a few minutes. But you can actually have fun as a book club making popcorn the old-fashioned way. Plus, it’s easy to do. Here’s a simple recipe to try:

Popcorn

Serves 6 to 8

• 2 tablespoons (divided) high-heat vegetable oil such as peanut or canola
• 1 teaspoon (divided) salt
• 1 cup popcorn kernels
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

The key factor in cooking popcorn is to keep the kernels moving so they pop evenly without burning. Cook the popcorn in a large saucepan with a handle, and cook ½ cup at a time.

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil with ½ teaspoon salt over high heat. Put three or four kernels in the pan and cover. When you hear the kernels pop, you’ll know the oil is ready.

Pour in ½ cup of popcorn kernels, cover again, and begin shaking the pan gently. Continue shaking until several seconds lapse between pops. Remove popcorn from heat, pour in a large bowl and repeat with another batch.

When all the corn is popped, add butter and extra salt if needed. Or try summer different like adding a little sugar to your popcorn or sprinkling on colored sugar chrystals (the kind you use for decorating cookies.)

The idea is to keep it fun as well as tasty.