I have a weakness for popcorn.
It has all the elements of a great snack -- it's light and bite-size, and has a satisfyingly crunchy texture. You can easily personalize it with sweet or savory toppings. I like to use a mix of Japanese seasonings like togarashi (a chili blend) and crumbled nori (dried seaweed), along with some drizzled butter.
I don't own a microwave, so I make my popcorn on the stove. The first time I learned about this I felt like I'd stumbled upon a secret. So easy! So fast! So much cheaper than buying the packaged stuff! Needless to say, I have never looked back.
I think it's kind of a stretch for popcorn to be hailed by nutritionists as being healthy, but it is low in calories and high in fiber and protein if you eat it plain. The biggest health pitfalls for consumers are in microwave popcorn's added chemicals, artificial butter flavor and trans fats.
Say goodbye to that expensive fake-butter-in-a-bag popcorn and hello to a bowl of fluffy and decadent morsels from the stovetop.
Stovetop popcorn
3 tablespoons coconut oil (feel free to substitute canola or olive oil, but I like the light coconut flavor)
1/2 cup organic popcorn kernels
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1.For this you'll need a deep pot with lid -- the kind with steam vents work best -- and a long handle. (Don't use enamel!) Add the oil to your pot over high heat. Add two or three test kernels and cover.
2. Once the test kernels pop, remove the lid and add the remaining popcorn kernels. Turn down to medium-high heat, cover with the lid and gently shake the pot back and forth over the heat source to evenly cook kernels and prevent them from burning.
3.Continue shaking until kernels have all popped and you can't hear any more moving against the bottom of the pan (approximately 3 minutes.) Turn off the heat and continue to shake -- a few stragglers will pop still.
4. Remove the lid and pour into a large bowl; add your toppings immediately: drizzle and toss with melted butter or sprinkle with salt, nutritional yeast or parmesan, hot sauce, et cetera.
5. Eat right away.
Popcorn seasoning ideas
Visit Summit Tea and Spice in Anchorage for more popcorn seasoning blends.