Popcorn
It might be difficult to find a better snack than a big bowl of air-popped popcorn. Not only is air-popped popcorn especially light and fluffy, but it also tastes delicious and is naturally low-fat. After the popcorn is air-popped, choose a tasty topping to add flair and additional flavor to the popcorn.
Prepare the Popcorn Popper
Assemble the parts of the popcorn popper. The base of the popcorn popper sits on the counter and plugs in when ready. The chute fits into the base and has two openings. One opening is at the top and a butter measuring cup fits into this opening. The other opening is the large chute that directs the popped popcorn out of the popcorn popper and into a bowl. Place a 6-quart bowl under the chute opening to catch the popcorn.
Make the Popcorn
Use the butter measuring cup to measure 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels. Pour the popcorn kernels into the popcorn popper base. Replace the measuring cup into the top of the chute. Plug in the popcorn popper and make sure the air is circulating the popcorn kernels in the base. If the kernels are not moving, give the popcorn popper base a slight shake.
Supervise the popping process to make sure that the bowl catches all the popcorn as it flows out of the chute. Rotate the bowl so that it fills evenly and doesn't overflow. Listen to the popping process and when all of the kernels have popped and you hear only air moving through the popcorn popper, unplug the appliance.
Top the Popcorn
Melt 1/3 to 1/2 cup butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Watch the butter as it melts and stir with a small wooden spoon. For a tasty topping, allow the butter to become a deep golden brown color. This color will occur after the butter melts and begins to bubble. Let the butter continue to bubble on the heat and it will turn this golden color. Watch the butter carefully during this melting and remove it before it burns. Pour the melted butter over the popcorn and add salt.
Other topping suggestions include butter and garlic salt, butter and cinnamon sugar, and butter and 2 to 3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese.
Make a nacho popcorn topping by combining 1 tsp. Paprika, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. crushed red peppers and 5 to 6 tbsp. parmesan cheese. Pour the melted butter over the popcorn and sprinkle the spices onto the popcorn.
Tags: popcorn popper, popcorn kernels, popcorn popper base, popper base, air-popped popcorn, butter measuring, butter melts
