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!

Garlic Chili Popcorn

Looking for an easy, healthy snack?  This is awesome, then!  Popcorn is a great movie food and if prepared at home the "old fashioned way," can be really healthy.  Why not spice-up the traditional version a little?  Since it's Spring Break here in the great Central Texas region, we're trying our best to have some fun, kick back, and relax a little.  :)

Chili Garlic Popcorn
oil
popcorn kernels
1 - 2 tbs melted butter
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt

Prepare the popcorn in a large pot on the stove or use a popcorn machine to make it!  If you're using the stove-top and have never done this before, here are some easy, basic steps.  It gets easier and better each time you do it!

Mix chili powder, garlic powder, sugar, cayenne, and salt together so they're well blended.

Now, make the popcorn!  First, turn stove on to medium-medium-high (not quite medium-high, but not medium - you know, that in between area!) and cover the bottom of your pot with some oil (whatever kind you prefer, but note that if you choose olive oil, it WILL smoke, so canola or vegetable oil is recommended).  Place enough kernels to mostly cover the bottom of the pot.

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.  Toss spice mix onto the popcorn so it coats it as desired.  Melt butter (1 - 2 tbs as you feel is necessary for the amount of popcorn prepared and for how buttery you'd like it) and toss on top of popcorn.  Mix and serve immediately!