Give popcorn a gourmet twist.
Easy and quick, popcorn makes a perfect afternoon snack, and is a must for family movie night. However, most people would not classify popcorn, especially microwave popcorn, as a gourmet treat. But like most carbohydrates, popcorn absorbs spices well, and new flavor combinations, such as black truffle oil-sea salt, Parmesan-basil and caramel-bacon have become popular in gourmet popcorn shops and online retailers. Healthy, fun and flavorful, gourmet popcorn is just as easy--and much less expensive--to make at home with a few simple ingredients.
Instructions
1. Prepare the popcorn in the microwave according to the directions, or use the old-fashioned and simple stove-top method. For stove-top cooking, heat canola oil on high in large pot, and add enough popcorn kernels--approximately 1/3 cup--to cover the bottom of the pot. Cover the pot, turn the heat to "Medium" and lightly shake the pot until all of the popcorn has finished popping--approximately 2 minutes. Empty the contents into a large bowl.
2. Flavored olive oil will add an extra punch to the recipe.
Melt 1/4 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of olive oil in saucepan. Olive oil is a healthy fat, and the combination of the two adds a lovely depth of flavor to the popcorn.
3. Healthy almonds provide protein and antioxidents.
Add 1/2 cup of almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios or hazelnuts to the melted butter and olive-oil mix. Toast the nuts in the butter until they start to smell slightly nutty.
4. Pour the buttered nuts over the popcorn and toss until the popcorn is evenly covered. Sprinkle the popcorn with sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
Tags: gourmet popcorn, popcorn gourmet, until popcorn
