Date Night Popcorn

When you have children, it is really important to spend quality time with your spouse, as a couple.  Unfortunately, date nights can get expensive, especially when you are in the boat that David and I are in.  We moved to Iowa, away from our family, so free babysitting isn't an option for us!  If you want to go to a movie, for example, by the time you pay the babysitter ($7 an hour here), pay $13.50 each to get into the movie, and then treats at the movie theater, the cost of your date night can come close to $100!  Even more if you want to go out for dinner!  

David and I have come up with a more cost efficient date night that can be done at home.  We do this once per week and we spend just as much quality time together as we would if we went out.   Every Saturday, David and I rent a movie or two and after Daniel goes to bed, we make popcorn and watch movies.  It is one of my favorite things to do.  It is also nice because we are watching movies in the comfort of our own home, and we can talk.  We can also tend to Daniel.  Sometimes we add dinner to this mix by feeding Daniel at the regular time, and then we make a nice dinner for ourselves later, after he has gone to bed.  

We don't make microwave popcorn, as it has all sorts of yucky chemicals added to it.  We pop corn the old fashioned way, on the stove.  Here's how we prep our popcorn:

Date Night Popcorn

• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 1/8 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 stick butter melted (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 tsp. salt (optional)

In a medium sized sauce pan, place the oil and a couple of kernels over medium heat.  Wait for the kernels to pop. 

Once the kernels have popped, pour the rest of the kernels into the pot and place the lid on.  Cook over medium heat, shaking the pot occasionally in order to keep the kernels from burning.  

Once the popcorn starts to pop regularly, keep the lid on and shake the pot regularly to keep the un-popped kernels from burning on the bottom of the pot.  

Wait until the popping slows and becomes intermittent.  Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and top with butter, salt, and parmesan cheese (if desired) and mix with your hands to evenly distribute.  

And there you have it- a movie and popcorn at home!  Date night on the cheap!  Until next time, happy and HEALTHY cooking!