Snack Time!

My popcorn got a make-over...

Another one of those idea things "popped" into my head the other day.  It's true that air-popped popcorn is a much healthier alternative to it's microwaved counterpart.  However, it doesn't exactly hold up to a taste test - BLAND!  I decided to tackle this problem by raiding my spice rack.  Here are the salivating solutions that I came up with.

First of all - my air popper from the 80's died last year.  I tried to revive it by shaking and yelling but alas, it was time for it to go.  It was a solemn moment at our house...for about 1 min.  Then I grabbed a deep pot (and Googled directions because I do that) and set to it the even older fashion way.  

The directions are as follows for those of you who are popcorn inept like I was.  

2 ingredients - popping corn kernels and oil

Coat the bottom of the pot with oil and add just enough kernels to cover the bottom as well.  NO MORE.  If you don't, your lid will fall off due to an abundance of fluffy corn and your gas stove will start your little puffs on fire.  Lesson learned the first time.

Here in a photographic display are the spices that were selected for this special occasion.  

We have from left to right...

Butter Buds, Pampered Chef's Smoky Barbecue Rub, Seasoned Salt, Italian Dressing, Ranch Dressing, Taco Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salad Supreme, and Lemon Pepper.

If using an air-popper, it helps to add a little oil to the popped kernels so the seasoning will stick instead of heading to the bottom of the bowl.  A vegetable oil spray is fat free/calorie free.  If doing it from the pot, I found that there was no need to add more.  The seasoning doesn't really add calories or fat either.  Hint -  the more powdery the seasoning, the better it coated the corn.

Verdict is in

                                                                  

                      Butter Buds - Not bad but not buttery enough for me.  Better with a little salt.

                      Barbecue Rub - Pretty darn tasty.

                                                              

Seasoned Salt - My family loves this stuff so it was a winner.  Horked down by the 5 year old.     

Garlic Powder - Not my favorite.  Maybe garlic salt would be better?  Keep reading.

                                                            

Salad Supreme - Another tasty one.  It became even better when mixed with the garlic popcorn.
Lemon Pepper -  Loved it.  A little goes farther with this spice.

                   
                                              

Italian and Ranch Dressing Mix - These both were surprisingly good.  They were the most powdery so the popcorn was covered well and I didn't have to use much.  

Taco Seasoning -  Not bad at all.  Mixed with the ranch popcorn was even tastier!

Enjoy your bowl of popcorn a little more guilt free now.  Plus you have a tasty alternative for movie night.  You never know, your corn may be the most coveted!
(My son just had me add the seasoned salt to the leftovers.)