Popcorn

Suggested by Sam (Senior Guide)

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup of popcorn kernels

1 Tbsp butter

Salt

Flavouring of choice

Time

Cook Time: 2- 3 minutes

Serves

2

Storage

Keep in an airtight container

METHOD

Prep. Melt your butter in the microwave and set aside. Place 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels into a paper bag (used/unused mushroom bags are perfect!) and fold top of bag over 2 -3 times)

Cook. Place paper bag into microwave and set to 3 minutes. Listen for kernels popping. Once popping has slowed, stop microwave and check contents. Most kernels will have popped, leaving you with yummy, fresh tasting popcorn.

Coat. Empty popcorn into a large bowl and pour the melted butter over top.

Flavour. Flavour with spices of choice. My favourite combo is paprika and nutritional yeast (you can get a powdered form of "nooch" which works perfectly for this purpose).



Notes from Sam: Experiment with other flavours like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder etc.

I like to separate out the unpopped kernels before coating and flavouring the rest, and put them back into the microwave to continue cooking them. They will cook much quicker as they have been previously heated. So keep a close eye/ear on them! This prevents food waste and maximises your snacking!

By making snacks like this at home and flavouring them from the spices you have in your own cupboard you can avoid the animal derived ingredients such as milk powder that are often found in store-bought packets of popcorn.
For the butter, I usually use sticks of the unsalted plant-based Becel which can be found in Creekside Market and larger supermarkets in Squamish, otherwise you can commonly find Earth Balance vegan spread, Miyoko's Cultured Vegan Butter and Melt Organic Butter among other brands in stores in Whistler.
Buy your popcorn kernels loose at the supermarket or Farmers' Market.
Buy your spices, salt, pepper and vinegar from bulk sections or zero waste stores using your own containers or re-usable bags.
Check out some of the stores in the Sea to Sky, Vancouver area and more here.
Look for BC grown popcorn in your supermarket, shop at a Farmers' Market, or, if you order your groceries through an online company like Spud.ca, opt for BC grown products.
As popcorn is a dried product, it can be purchased year-round without the need for refrigeration.