The Best Popcorn EVER!!!

I LOVE popcorn!  But I am very particular.  I won't eat movie popcorn, for example, and I will rarely eat the microwave variety.  Popcorn can be a very healthy treat, if  you air pop it and don't add much butter.  I like to experiment with different flavors of popcorn, cheesy popcorn, garlic popcorn, chocolate caramel corn, etc.  A couple of weeks ago I was asked to do a Pampered Chef party for my friend.  I made this popcorn and it was an instant hit.  The idea came to me because I was craving popcorn while I was trying to brainstorm some ideas of easy snack foods for entertaining for the holidays.  I made this for another Pampered Chef show last night and again, it was a total hit!  The secret ingredient?  The Pampered Chef Oil Dipping seasonings, but you could use any type of seasoning you have on hand.  Pampered Chef has four varieties - sundried tomato, parmesan garlic, lemon herb, and spinach and red pepper.  They cost $6.50 and they all work really great for this popcorn.  If you are craving some popcorn tonight and don't want to wait, you can use any variety of salt free mixed herbs and spices.  No need for salt here, the flavor of this popcorn is FANTASTIC!  This recipe couldn't be easier!

The Best Popcorn EVER!
Note- the instructions for this recipe are for popping the popcorn on the stove.  You can also air pop your popcorn, just omit the instructions for cooking the popcorn.

• 1/2 cup un-popped popcorn kernels
• 4 tbsp. butter 
• 1 tbsp. Pampered Chef oil dipping seasoning of your choice or other salt free seasoning mix
• 1 tbsp. parmesan cheese 
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

In a medium sized saucepan with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add two or three popcorn kernels and cover.  When those kernels have popped, add the rest of the popcorn and cover.  Allow popcorn to pop, shaking the pan back and forth to prevent burning until the popping slows to about 15 seconds between pops and a majority of the popcorn is popped.  Remove the popcorn to a very large bowl.  Place the butter and seasoning in a microwaveable bowl.  MIcrowave on high for 30 seconds or until melted.  Add the parmesan cheese, stir to make sure it is well combined.  Pour over the popcorn and use your hands (or a large spoon) to mix until the popcorn is well coated with the butter mixture.  Enjoy!

Until next time, happy and HEALTHY cooking and EATING!