Back by Popular Demand Healthy Popcorn

Here is what you’ll need to make six one-cup servings: ¼ cup of popcorn kernels ¼ teaspoon salt (optional) ½ teaspoon vegetable or olive oil A brown paper lunch bag (I used the ones located by the Zip lock® bags at Walmart) 1 TBSP of unsalted butter Oven Mitts Microwave-safe bowl Rubber Spatula

Drop the popcorn kernels into the brown paper bag and drizzle the kernels with oil. Next, fold the bag approximately three times to seal it, but do not use anything that is prohibited in the microwave such as staples or tape. Also, do not write on the bag as this may cause toxins to leak into the bag. After you seal the bag, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, shake your baggy while singing “Shake, shake, shake; shaking my baggy.” Place the bag on its side on top of the microwave-safe plate inside of your microwave. Make sure the kernels are in an even layer. Set the timer for five minutes and do not leave the microwave unattended. You should stand close by to listen for the popping to slow down. After the popping slows down to one or two pops, put on your oven mitts and remove the popcorn from the microwave. Allow the popcorn to cool while you prepare your flavoring. If you’re using butter, place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, cover, and heat for 30 seconds to melt the butter. Remove the bowl of butter from the microwave, carefully open your bag of popcorn and pour the popcorn into the bowl of melted butter. Use the rubber spatula to evenly coat the popcorn with the butter or other flavor mixes. Sprinkle with salt if you desire and enjoy. If you want to add some pizazz, create your flavoring to sprinkle over the popcorn along with the salt just before serving it to your guests. Below are a few suggestions from America’s Test Kitchen: Cinnamon-Malt (1 TBSP Malted Milk Powder, 1 TBPS packed brown sugar and ½ TSP Ground Cinnamon) Sriracha-Lime (1/2 TSP Sriracha sauce added to the melted butter. Sprinkle ½ TSP of grated lime zest along with the salt before serving.) Parmesan-Herb (1/4 Cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 TBSP of Italian Seasoning Blend)