LOCKDOWN: STOVETOP POPCORN, frugal, low fat, salty or sweet

A frugal, fabulous healthier snack...

 Stovetop Popcorn: Sweet Paprika & Skinny Carmelised Nut
'it's easy when you know how - families will love making this' 

Where popcorn is concerned, you can easily buy pre-popped from the supermarket or cinema.  Or you can microwave 'cook-your-own' ready-prepped popcorn.   

But trust me, there is nothing kids like more than to make popcorn from scratch.  In or out of Lockdown 

I know, I know.  Make-it-yourself popcorn can be hit and miss.  There might be burnt bits left on the bottom of the pan and sometimes lots of unpopped kernels.  If you're not watchful, you may end up with a pan burnt black which could take a long, long time to clean.  

But once you know how to do it right, making popcorn from scratch is easy and delicious.  You can dress it up in all manner of ways: savoury or sweet.  It's also gratifyingly frugal.

Fresh Popcorn is a healthy treat.  You get to control the amount of butter, salt and/or sugar.  It's delicious crunchiness is satisfying and provides lots of fibre for the guts!  It doesn't need much to take it to another level; the web has lots of different toppings.  

67's favourite toppings, pictured above, are Smoked Paprika & Salt, and for special occasions a lower-cal Caramel Nut Sauce.  Both aim for lower levels of fat, salt and sugar without stinting on deliciousness.  

Cost: pennies
Feeds: 2-4, depending on greed

Ingreds:
    2-3 tbsp vegetable Oil
    1/2 c PopCorn kernels (supermarkets or (organic) delis & health food shops) 

Toppings: smoked paprika & salt and/or butter, sugar, nuts

Equipment: 
    A medium weight heavy-bottomed pan with a well fitted lid, pref glass

Method:

1. Place oil in pan, turn heat to med; add 2 kernels of popping corn; cover
2. Keep an eye on it; when kernels have popped, remove pan from heat.
3. Discard original kernels; add the rest; shake firmly & cover; sit 1 min before returning to med heat 
4. Wait, giving the pan a good shake occasionally  
5. The kernels will start to pop slowly, then fast; keep shaking now and again; if pot is getting too full, tilt the lid a bit so the popcorn doesn't steam
6. Once kernels have stopped popping, leave them for one more minute then remove from heat and turn off stove.   Rest 1 min; the more stubborn kernels will continue to pop
7. Add a scant tablespoon of butter (for cholesterol-phobes) or more to taste to the bottom of the pan to melt (place back on the stove if necessary); shake pan vigorously
8. Pour into a bowl; add flavourings as below

Smoked Paprika & Salt

    1.5 tsp smoked paprika or more to taste

    1-2 tsp coarse sea salt or more to taste

Mix and scatter over 

Simple Caramel Nut Drizzle
   min 2 - max 4 tbsp butter
   min 2 - max 4 tbsp soft brown sugar
   min 2 - max 4 tbsp coarsely chopped walnuts or other nuts

1.  Melt butter over med heat in a heavy bottomed pan
2.  Add sugar; stir; cook a few mins until blended 
3.  Add walnuts; stir a minute or two; pour over popcorn, stirring as you go
4.  If you heat it a little too much, the caramel will darken.  But it will still taste good and will provide unexpected crunchy bits of sweetness

Tips:
Singletons: Half the recipe will be perfect; but if you're feeling greedy, there's enough to make both types of toppings.

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This recipe has  been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.