Sweet Popcorn

We often went to the drive-in theatre when I was growing up.  We always made large bags of fresh popcorn to take with us.  Now I crave it when we´re watching movies at home.  Since we´ve been trying to eat healthier the last few years,  I wanted to find something other than the store bought, unhealthy microwave popcorn and found this fast and easy recipe at simplyrecipes.com earlier this year. We prefer sweet to buttery popcorn, so I´ve modified it to fit our tastes. The whole family just loves it! 

Tip: Additional toppings: melter butter and salt, cayenne pepper, parmesan cheese, chili pepper, curry powder

3 tablespoons oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
1 3-quart covered saucepan
flavored powered sugar, cinammon or maple flavored ones are great

Heat the oil in saucepan on medium high heat.

Put 3 or 4 popcorn kernals into the oil and cover the pan.

When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer.  Cover, remove from heat and count 30 seconds.  (This kids always help with this part!) This method first heats the oil to the right temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernals to a near-popping temperature so they all pop at the same time, when returned to the heat.

Return the pan to the heat.  Once the popping starts vigorouly, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner.  Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release.  Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove from heat and dump immediately into a bowl.

Season with powdered sugar to desired taste.

Makes 2 quarts