Barney Is Right When It Comes To Popcorn

Did you push play?  Huh, did ya?   Come on, do it.  It is 'must have' background music for this post, and it will give you a taste of what it is like to be me.  No joke, every time I pull out the popcorn, this song plays in my head, and now (if you were obedient and listening to the song) it will play in yours, too.  Such a catchy little tune, isn't it? 

The way we have been making popcorn in our home lately is pretty neat for a few reasons:
1. It's frugal.
2. It's so easy, even my 6 year old can do it.
3. I know exactly what is in it. (and artificial color and flavor isn't!)
4. It's fun. (which according to Barney, is very important)

On to how we do it.  You will need..
Brown Paper Lunch Bag

Popcorn!
Butter
Sea Salt
Open the brown paper bag, pour in 1/4 cup popcorn.  Fold bag over twice at the top.  Microwave until popping slows down to 2-3 seconds in between pops. (my microwave has a popcorn button on it that is 2 minutes 4 seconds, which works well for us)  Microwave ovens vary, so experiment a bit with the time.  I personally would rather stop the cooking early and have a few kernals left then have burnt popcorn!
Put a Tbls or 2 of butter in small dish while popcorn is popping.  Open popped bag of corn and pour into a bowl.  Melt butter in microwave, about 20 seconds.  Pour over popcorn and sprinkle with salt.
A simple, yummy and healthy snack!

I store our scoop and salt right in with the popcorn so it is always

ready for my girls to help themselves.

Here are a few ideas to make your popcorn even more special:

Honey-Buttered Popcorn
3 Tbls Butter
3 Tbls Honey
Itty Bit of Vanilla
Melt butter in microwave, add honey and vanilla.  Pour over popcorn and sprinkle with salt.
Cinnamon-Sugar Popcorn
3 Tbls Butter
1 Tbls. Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Sugar
Melt butter in microwave.  Mix cinnamon and sugar.  Sprinkle over popcorn.  Can add a bit of salt if desired.
Red Hot Cinnamon Popcorn
(we make this once a year for Valentines Day.  It is full of junk but sooo good!  This recipe makes a ton, we like to share with neighbors and make valentine deliveries to friends.  This would also be a great homemade Christmas gift)
6 Quarts popped popcorn
1 Pkg (12 oz size) Red Hot Cinnamon Candies
Sugar
1 C butter
1/2 C corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
Spread popcorn in a lightly buttered pan.  Bake at 250 while preparing syrup.  Pour cinnamon candies into a 2 cup measure.  Fill remaining space to the top with sugar.  Place in pan, add butter, corn syrup, and salt.  Bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in baking soda.  Pour over popcorn stirring to coat.  Continue baking for 1 hr, stirring every 15 minutes.  Remove from oven, let cool, break into pieces and store in airtight container.

*Did you know this?  A study done at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania has found that popcorn contains large amounts of polyphenol, an antioxidant believed to lower the risk of cancer and other diseases.  Polyphenols have been known to be in fruits, vegetables and other foods, but until now researchers had no idea they were in popcorn!  I bet Barney knew that...