Sunday, June 21, 2009

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN AND POPCORN SEASONINGS


Microwave popcorn is easy and convenient but there have been some health concerns lately, including "Popcorn Workers Lung". With the convenience comes a price tag. You can make your own microwave popcorn for pennies vs the high cost of microwave popcorn found out your local retailer. It can cost between 1.99 to $3.99 a box.

With homemade you choose the ingredients, no worries about microwave popcorns artery-clogging hydrogenated oils. Use heirloom varieties, gourmet or organic popcorn if you prefer. You can sprinkle lightly with salt or add your favorite flavoring. Have fun and enjoy a snack healthy. I have listed some suggestions for different seasonings following the popcorn directions.

My popcorn cost $2.29 for 20 oz. of Jolly Time Organic. The pack of paper bags cost $1.69 for 50. Cost is approximately .30 per bag.

Some people recommend using staples to close the bag, this could cause the bag to burn when the metal staples become hot, so do not use staples.

Do not leave popcorn in microwave unattended! Adult supervision is recommended if a child attempts this recipe.

HOMEMADE MICROWAVE POPCORN

1/4 cup popping corn
Popcorn Salt (you can use regular salt, but the fine popcorn salt is best)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 brown paper lunch bag

Add popcorn to bag and add desired amount of salt.

Fold top of bag over to close and shake gently.

Add olive oil, fold bag and shake.

Fold the top of bag over again and make a 1/2" flap.

Crease this sharply and fold over one more time.

A sharp crease will kelp keep the popcorn in the bag when cooking.

Place the closed bag on its side (the large side) in the microwave. Pop the corn until there are 3-5 seconds between pops.Remove from microwas and open bag to cool. Add butter, and or other flavorings, fold top of bag and shake.

Some Seasoning Suggestions

Any cheese you can "shake". American, Parmesan, etc.

Taco seasoning (the powdered kind in the packages).

Chili Cheese & Garlic
1/2 Teaspoon salt
2 Teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Teaspoon paprika
1/2 Teaspoon chili powder
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Garlic and Onion

1/4 teaspoon Garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

or try a sprinkling little sugar after popping. The salty sweet flavor combination is interesting and a good change of taste.

6 comments:

  1. I always have trouble making the flavorings stick to the popcorn. I'll try using olive oil when I pop it like this next next; I generally just pop it "dry." I love, love, love, cheese popcorn!

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  2. Katy~
    I'm with you. I love, love, love cheese popcorn. The olive oil should help the flavorings stick. If you don't have an adversion to butter, add a little melted butter and shake before adding the flavoring.

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  3. Oh, Pattie, I think I'm partly made of butter!

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  4. I love to add spices on pop corn. What's good become better!

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  5. Talita, you said it perfectly "what's good becomes better". I love popcorn and I love playing around with different seasonings. I found I wasn't very thrilled with the kettle corn idea, using a sprinkling of sugar, (but I love sweet caramel corn, go figure) but so far ever other seasoning idea I have tried I enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

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