Movie night! Tonight on the menu is a flick called “Black Sheep”. When I saw the movie title, I assumed it was that classic comedy from 1996 with one of my favorite actors, Chris Farley. It seems the title was rehashed in 2006 for a very different type of movie, one about blood-thirsty zombie sheep. Eli and I watched the trailer and while she usually balks at the idea of watching a scary movie, she eventually agreed to watch this one. Without spoiling it for you, lets just say the movie was funnier than it was scary. I believe the movie was trying to be funny, but only in its own ridiculousness. But what better way to enjoy zombie sheep than a steaming-hot bowl of popcorn?
Popcorn is not generally considered health food, but I intend to change that. Corn is a whole grain, therefore popcorn is a whole grain. Popcorn kernels contains more fiber than an apple, a banana, 2 oranges, a serving of brown rice, whole wheat or barley. The problem with popcorn is that it is usually drenched in melted butter, ruining any nutrition value. Well the way I make it is not only healthy, but cheap too! That bowl of heaven up there was my dinner the other night.
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1/3 cup popcorn kernels (yellow pops bigger, white is smaller)
2t sugar
2T creamy natural peanut butter (Dark Chocolate flavor is great)
Instructions:
1. Place a heavy saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Let pan warm for 1-2 minutes.
2. Pour kernels into the pan and cover with a lid. Take two potholders and shake the pan every 5-10 seconds, while also holding the lid down. Once all kernels have popped, remove from heat and pour into a large bowl.
3. Spray with olive oil or canola oil cooking spray and sprinkle 1t sugar on top. Toss popcorn, spray again and sprinkle remaining sugar on top. Drizzle peanut butter flavor of choice across the top.
Additional Info:
To achieve the creaminess required for drizzling, I use Trader Joe’s natural creamy peanut butter w/ salt (I actually use this brand for everything). If your peanut butter is not that creamy, microwave it in a small dish for 15 seconds.
I had it with plain peanut butter and I think I liked it better:
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Nick,
Have you tried the traditional method using a pan and nothing else? All you need is a heavy pan with a lid, a source of heat and some popping corn.
Did you know that although popcorn is a great source of fibre, it is very high on the glycaemic index, making it not a health food. However, what you’ve done by adding peanut butter is to moderate the speed which the starch enters your bloodstream, rendering it a little kinder and less likely to give an insulin spike.
x
I read about the traditional method in a pan, but every place said you needed 1/4-1/2 cup oil. I will have to try that next time, thanks!
As for the glycemic index, that’s interesting that it is so high. What that means is that blood sugar levels rise quickly, providing a very quick source of energy. This is a good thing for people who are active like myself. But for people who are trying to lose weight this may not be a good idea. The high glycemic carbs are absorbed quickly and don’t provide a full feeling for very long.
But considering that the glycemic index of popcorn is about the same as oatmeal (my breakfast every morning), split pea soup and bran muffins, it can’t be terribly unhealthy.
The fact that peanut butter slows the starch entering into the bloodstream only further proves my point that peanut butter is a wonder food. See, I knew Peanut Butter Popcorn was a healthy creation =).
That pop corn looks awesome! with peanut butter of course. lol
I think this may just be one of the most perfect recipes I have ever read! And to think you had me a popcorn!
My husband taught me to put some kernels in a brown paper lunch bag and pop it in the microwave. Works just like the store bought brands! Then you can just season to taste!
I have a hot air popcorn machine but it is at my parents house. I use a pyrex dish and cover (of course or else it goes all inside the microwave) and heat the popping corn dry in the microwave for about 8 minutes. You have to not cook for too long or else it burns. The hot air machine is better as there is no burning. I eat it au naturel with nothing added at all as that is how I like it! Christopher, England.
Christopher, It takes 8 full minutes to cook it? Or do you just put it in for that long and wait until it stops popping? Do you have a microwave with a rotating table or non-rotating? I’m surprised it doesn’t burn and/or stick to the bottom of the pyrex dish!
If you could make popcorn better, this is the way to do it. Looks awesome!
I just used the same TJ’s pb in a peanut butter butter cream icing for a chocolate cake. Decorated w/ pb cups, of course. Best icing ever.