PARMESAN POPCORN

YIELD: 2-4 SERVINGS

PARMESAN POPCORN

Recipe for a quick and easy snack, Parmesan Popcorn!

COOK: 5 MINS TOTAL: 5 MINS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup oil (canola, vegetable, or some oil with a high smoke point) - enough to just barely cover bottom of the pan
• 2/3 cup popcorn kernels
• Non-fat spray butter to taste (or a few tablespoons melted butter)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• Garlic salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil in a large (I used an 8-quart) saucepan over medium-high heat. Put 3 or 4 popcorn kernels into the oil and cover the pan.

When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 2/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer. Cover, remove from heat and count 30 seconds. (Count out loud; it's fun to do with kids.) This method first heats the oil to the right temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when they are put back on the heat, they all pop at about the same time.

Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping soon, and all at once. Once the popping starts in earnest, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release (the popcorn will be drier and crisper). Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and dump the popcorn immediately into a wide bowl. Toss with parmesan until evenly-mixed.

Salt to taste. (You can also add the salt in initially with the oil, to have it be more evenly dispersed.)
With this technique, nearly all of the kernels pop and nothing burns. If you are adding butter, you can easily melt it by placing the butter in the now empty, but hot pan.

I know it doesn't have a high smoke point, but I often use olive oil for homemade popcorn instead of the alternatives.  Love the extra nutrients, and the light extra flavor it adds.  However, you do have to keep an extra-close eye on it to make sure it doesn't overheat or burn.  :)

Original recipe, with instructions adapted from Simply Recipes.

DIFFICULTY: EASY INGREDIENTS: GARLIC SALT, NON-FAT SPRAY BUTTER, OIL, PARMESAN,POPCORN KERNELS