Parmesan Garlic Popcorn

I might have mentioned this is another post or two.  Or maybe not...  Nicholas LOVES popcorn!  When it comes down to things, we often have a tendency to have our biases - Nicholas loves salt, I love sweet.  That can sometimes make it a tad difficult to make a decision when it comes to making a snack, dessert, going out, etc, but we can always come to a happy decision in the end.

As this is quite obviously a salt "oriented" food, it's quite fitting that two of Nicholas' other favorite foods are incorporated - cheese and garlic!  :)  Nicholas is quite fond of the Parmesan Garlic chips, which might have to be the main inspiration for this snack.

Here's an easy way to put a spin on your next batch of homemade popcorn!

Parmesan Garlic Popcorn

1/4 cup oil (a little less if you'd like - but don't use olive oil! - only canola or vegetable)
rough 3/4 cup kernels
4 tbs butter
3-4 cloves garlic (crushed)
1/8-1/4 cup thinly grated Parmesan
salt (to taste)

(You can use either a popcorn machine or the stove-top method).  For the stove-top...  In a large kettle, combine oil and kernels on medium-high heat.  Cover pot with lid and allow to start popping!  Once you hear the kernels, keep a close eye on the popcorn so it doesn't start to burn.  You may want to shake the pot around some to keep the kernels at the bottom from burning and to allow the un-popped kernels to make their way back down to the bottom.  Once most of the popping has died down, remove from heat.

Pour popcorn into a large bowl and set aside.

In a small skillet, melt butter over low or medium heat.  Add the minced garlic into the butter and allow to saute for 10-15 minutes.  You may want to start this before the popcorn and leave it on simmer while you make the popcorn.

Toss butter and grated Parmesan onto popcorn and stir.  Taste and add any salt if necessary, tossing again.

Last step?  Sit down, put on a good movie, and chow down!