Coconutty Popcorn

Coconutty Popcorn

This is my favorite way to snack on popcorn. I have been snacking on this treat about once or twice a week during my viewing of “American Idol.” You have to be careful with this recipe since coconut oil is high in saturated fat; but air-popped popcorn doesn’t do it for me and this popcorn tastes just like the movie theater version!!! I like to eat it once in a while as a “special” treat. Be sure to use organic, unrefined virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil, in general, is supposedly (from what I’ve read) a good option for sauteeing and baking because it remains stable at high heat. I use the Spectrum brand of coconut oil (see photo below). This recipe serves 2 to 4 people depending upon how gluttonous you are.

COCONUTTY POPCORN

Ingredients:

1/2 cup organic popcorn kernels

2 tablespoons of organic, unrefined virgin coconut oil

sea salt or nutritional yeast, to taste

Directions:

Place the coconut oil in a large pot (I use an 8 quart stock pot) and melt it over medium heat so that it covers the entire bottom of the pot. Add the popcorn kernels so that they are spread out in a single layer on the bottom of the pot. Put the lid on the pot. When you hear the kernels start to pop, shake the pot around a little bit. Lower the heat, if you must, to prevent smoking and burning of the popcorn. When the popping sound slows down, shake the pot again. Lift the lid off to see if most of the kernels have been popped. If so, turn the heat off and place popcorn into a large bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt or nutritional yeast, if desired.

PS. I was rooting for Jessica Sanchez to win the “Idol” competition but Phillip Phillips is really cute so I guess it’s okay that he won (do you think his middle name is Phillip too?)