There’s popcorn…and then there’s Popcorn with a Pop. Perfect for movie night, a quiet mom moment, or midday snack for the kiddo’s.
Popcorn with a Pop
My daughter just walked in and said, “Mom, why are you doing a post on popcorn? Everyone knows how to make popcorn.”
My response, “Sure, but not everyone knows how to make Popcorn with a Pop.”
We’ve Come A Long Way Baby
When I was growing up, I loved nights when the babysitter came over because it meant we got to make popcorn. Not just any popcorn, but Jiffy Pop. Remember how you would place the pan on the stove and shake it back and forth until the foil would eventually expand and fill with popcorn? Then you would practically burn your fingers off trying to open the foil with all the steam racing past your finger tips. Fun!!!
We have come a long way since Jiffy Pop. I don’t even want to know the ingredients in Jiffy Pop. Ignorance is bliss to a kid. Well, I’m not a kid any more, but I still LOVE popcorn! We have this at least once a week because my kids know that popcorn is always a good idea with me.
Secret Ingredient
Popcorn is one of those grains that is so versatile. What would a carnival or street fair be like without Kettle Corn? Sweet and salty yumminess! My favorite flavor growing up, besides Jiffy Pop of course, was cheddar cheese. That is until I found out what the ingredients list contained. YUCK!
Thankfully, I discovered a secret ingredient that would give me my cheddar cheese popcorn, without all the yuck: nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast has a wonderful cheesy flavor and is rich in B vitamins, protein, Beta-glucans and all 18 amino acids. Tossed into freshly popped popcorn, along with butter, salt (truffle salt or truffle oil if you are really adventurous), and pepper, and you have popcorn with a pop.
Recipe for Popcorn with a Pop
- 1 T coconut oil for the pan
- 1/2 cup organic popcorn kernels
- 4 T (1/2 stick) organic melted butter (Kerrygold is my favorite butter)
- 2 T nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp sea salt or truffle salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1 T truffle oil (optional- adds a savory, earthy flavor: decrease amount of butter by 1 T if using truffle oil)
How to Pop Popcorn on the Stove
Okay, I know it is way easier to pop a bag of microwave popcorn into the microwave and three minutes later you are good to go. I have never been into microwave popcorn, probably because I am not into my microwave. As far as I am concerned, the microwave is just a large clock above the stove that my kids use for their timer during computer games. Just say’n. Truthfully, I don’t buy a lot of processed or pre-packaged foods. I love the challenge of making things from scratch. This way, I can control the ingredients and slip in some good and healthy on the sly.
You could cheat and buy a popcorn popper like the Whirley Pop, which makes life super easy, or you can use a large 5 1/2 quart-sized pot. Start by melting the coconut oil in the pot along with the popcorn kernels. Stir them around, making sure they are well-coated. When you hear the first pop, quickly cover with the lid, grab your oven mitts, and give the pot a good shake. Kind of like the Jiffy Pop method. Don’t wander far from the stove. This process takes a matter of minutes, and any distractions will result in burnt popcorn and the loud sound of the kitchen fire alarm announcing that you are, indeed, making popcorn. If you weren’t planning on sharing, this will totally blow your cover. Basically, any distractions results in utter chaos and loss of control of having an entire bowl of popcorn all to your self. Did I just write that out loud? I actually share the popcorn. I promise.
Using an Air Popper
The kids actually prefer the air popper method. They enjoy watching the popcorn push its way up and out of the popper into the giant bowl. Also, the air popper is easier to operate with less chance of getting burned for children. Additionally, using an air popper also eliminates the need for the added fat from the coconut oil. So, if you are watching your waistline, then this would be a great option. Side note, but this weekend we ran out of propane which meant the stove didn’t work, yet we were still able to pop our popcorn. I was thankful for plug-in appliances. On the other hand, if the power goes out, the air popper will be obsolete. Truthfully, so will your movie night with no power, but you can still cuddle up with a good book. Moral to the “which method” dilemma… have both methods available so you are never at risk of being without your popcorn.
Come On, Shake Shake It
Once all your popcorn is popped, dump all the popcorn into a paper grocery bag. Trader Joes actually still uses paper bags for all of you paper bag lovers. We recycle around here. There are three things I use my paper bags for: shaking popcorn, resting my roasted peppers so the skins fall off easier, and they make great dog toys. My dog, Watson, loves grocery days. Paper bags are the highlight of his week. Sorry, totally digressed.
Like I was saying, once all your popcorn has popped, dump it in the paper bag along with the melted butter, truffle oil (if using), nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Give it a good shake shake.
Distribute in bowls and enjoy a good movie on Netflix, or curl up for a mom moment with a good book (that is only if you don’t set off the sounding alarm). You could even break up a homeschooling day and give the kids a bowl of popcorn during read aloud time. Popcorn with a Pop is a perfect healthy snack.
PS. Watson loves popcorn too.
For a List of Great Family Movies to Watch with Your Popcorn with a Pop…
Check Out These Other Healthy Snacks
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Truffle Oil – Truffle oil adds a slight savory, earthy flavor (definitely a more sophisticated taste)
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