Homemade popcorn is the perfect snack to enjoy without all of the guilt that comes from typical snack foods. Do you need something a little different than the fresh veggies for that mid-day hunger crave? Every time one of your coworkers pops a bag of popcorn in the microwave, do you follow that delicious smell until you find the culprit and beg for just a little?

Popcorn made in your own kitchen is easier and healthier than you think! Stay clear of those microwave bags – they are one of the most unhealthy snacks in the vending machine! Did you know that most microwave bags of popcorn are lined with a carcinogen that has been linked to infertility, cancer and other diseases in lab animals?  The actual popcorn contains various ingredients that have been linked to ADHD, allergies, asthma, skin diseases and stomach problems.  They may even contain butane!!!

You can still enjoy a healthy version of popcorn, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare – right in your own kitchen and no special popper is required.  (Do you remember those yellow air poppers that we grew up with?) You can find popcorn kernels in various grocery and gourmet food stores. You can even grow your own, like we do!  See our article: Growing Popcorn.

Homemade Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of organic Popcorn
3 TBSP olive oil (not extra virgin)
season to taste

Instructions:

1. In a 3 quart or larger pot, add the olive oil and 3-5 kernels of popcorn to the bottom of the pan. Cover with a lid and place over medium heat.

2. Once the kernels begin to pop, add the remaining kernels and cover.

3. As the popcorn begins to pop, lightly shake the pot back and forth over the burner several times throughout the popping process.

4. When there is greater than 3 seconds in between pops, remove from heat and let it sit for 30 seconds while it finishes popping.

5. Carefully remove the lid – allowing the steam to escape away from your face.

6. Transfer to a serving bowl and season to taste.

Enjoy!

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Mary and Jim

[recipe difficulty=easy]

Homemade Popcorn Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of organic Popcorn
3 TBSP olive oil (not extra virgin)
season to taste

Instructions:

1. In a 3 quart or larger pot, add the olive oil and 3-5 kernels of popcorn to the bottom of the pan. Cover with a lid and place over medium heat.

2. Once the kernels begin to pop, add the remaining kernels and cover.

3. As the popcorn begins to pop, lightly shake the pot back and forth over the burner several times throughout the popping process.

4. When there is greater than 3 seconds in between pops, remove from heat and let it sit for 30 seconds while it finishes popping.

5. Carefully remove the lid – allowing the steam to escape away from your face.

6. Transfer to a serving bowl and season to taste.

recipe courtesy of owgarden.com

[/recipe]