chili lime popcorn

Popcorn is one of my all-time favorite snacks. It is healthy (tons of fiber), extremely low cost, fast, and SO versatile. If you've never tried popcorn cooked on the stove top then you are in for a real treat! Compared to microwave popcorn, stove popped corn is a whole different world. It brings to mind the first time I tried "natural" peanut butter... and enlightening experience for sure. As soon as that peanut butter hit my tongue, I didn't know how those other spreads could even use the word "peanut" in their title. The peanut flavor was so powerful and so fresh that there was no going back. Stove popped corn has the same effect compared to microwave popcorn. The intense corn flavor and aroma dwarfs that of the microwave variety. The toppings are endless; salty, sweet, savory... try anything.

Even better yet, popcorn made on the stove top costs cents on the dollar to the packaged microwave stuff. What are you paying for with the microwave bags? The packaging? Must be the packaging because it is almost as quick and simple to make as the "convenient" kind. Honestly, 3-5 minutes till it's done and I could almost do it with my eyes closed. So, push your fear aside and let's pop some corn!





Total Recipe cost: $0.37
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Cost per serving: $0.09
Prep time: 0 min. Cook time: 5 min. Total: 5 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
1/3 cup	popcorn kernels	$0.12
3 Tbsp	cooking oil	$0.15
1/2 tsp	chili powder	$0.05
1/2 tsp (or to taste)	salt	$0.05
zest and juice	one lime	$0.10
TOTAL		$0.37

Compare at: I don't even know how much microwave popcorn costs these days but my guess is that one bag of it costs more than this whole recipe. Am I right?

STEP 1: In a medium pot, heat 3 Tbsp of cooking oil on high heat with the lid on. Drop one kernel into the oil before you begin heating it.

STEP 2: While the oil and kernel are heating, zest the lime (use a "zester" or the smallest grade on your cheese grater to remove the dark green top layer of skin from the lime). Pre-measure 1/3 cup of kernels so they are ready to throw in the pot as soon as it is hot. Keep a large bowl handy for when the popcorn is finished.

STEP 3: After a few short minutes you will hear the one kernel pop. This is your signal that the pot is hot and ready for the rest. Throw in the kernels and the lime zest. Replace the lid and give the whole pot a little swirl to coat the kernels in hot oil. Return the pot to the heat.

STEP 4: Within a few seconds the rest of the kernels will begin to pop. I like to set the lid just slightly ajar at this point to allow the steam being released from the kernels to escape (otherwise you'll end up with soggy kernels). Make sure not to remove the lid while they are popping or else you'll have them all over your kitchen (sounds like common sense but I've seen someone do it. really.).

STEP 5: Just sit and let the kernels pop and listen for them to slow down. Once the popping has slowed to about one pop every couple of seconds, remove the pot from the heat (just like with microwave popcorn... listen for the popping to slow then STOP).

STEP 6: Wait just a couple of seconds after removing from the heat to make sure there are no more pops. Remove the lid, squeeze a little lime juice over top, sprinkle a little chili powder and salt then pour about half of the popcorn into the bowl. Repeat with the lime, chili and salt over what is in the bowl. Pour the rest of the popcorn on top and finish off with more lime, chili and salt.

NOTE: Buy popcorn kernels packaged in a bag rather than a hard plastic container... they are exactly the same thing but one costs about twice as much as the other. Most of the bagged corn comes with a resealable zip lock on it but if it doesn't, the cost of a large ziplock bag is still way less than the screw top plastic container.

If you like butter on your popcorn you can try this another way. Instead of putting the lime zest in the oil with the kernels, simply put the zest in with the butter when you are melting it. I tried this method once before and it was insanely good (anything with butter is better). Also, because butter has a low melting point, the zest flavor stays very fresh and powerful. Give it a shot.

My other favorite toppings for popcorn are: plain salt, freshly cracked black pepper, Tony Chachere's and Kernel Seasons. What do you like on your popcorn? I'd love to hear some new popcorn ideas because I just love this stuff!