My Dad makes THE BEST popcorn.
When I was little, I remember watching my Dad in the kitchen whipping up a batch of stove top popcorn and waiting patiently for him to fill up our bowls. His bowl could feed 5,000 and my bowl was big enough for a cricket’s lunch…but who’s complaining?
Last week a bag of locally produced popcorn was added to my Consumer Supported Agriculture (CSA) grocery bag. Get this…I can’t remember the last time I’ve had popcorn and I know for sure that I have never made popcorn on the stove in my entire life.
But, I figured it out.
I hopped into the Fitness & Spice test kitchen, tossed a towel over my shoulder (like my Dad does), threw about a tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup of popcorn in a pan, covered it with a lid, and glided it over the hot burner for a few minutes. My first batch was topped with good ole sea salt and it was almost as good as Dad’s, only this time I had the entire bowl for myself.
The next day I experimented with a top coat of Pam Olive Oil Spray, Parmesan cheese, and a dash of Tabasco Sauce—we don’t call this site Fitness & Spice for nothing!
When watching the Biggest Loser grand finale, I topped my popcorn with (wait. for. it.) RANCH seasoning.
And last night I was craving something sweet so I called Carrie and we came up with…
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn (Sorta)
- Step 1: Pop a batch of popcorn
- Step 2: In a shaker combine a tablespoon or two of chocolate protein powder and powdered peanut butter (PB2) along with a packet or two of stevia
- Step 3: Lightly coat popcorn with butter flavor Pam
- Step 4: Sprinkle chocolate and peanut butter mixture all over the popcorn
Was it perfect? Not quite.
Did it taste like Crunch ‘n Munch or Cracker Jacks? No, whey.
Did I eat the entire bowl? Guilty!
Would I make it again? Don’t mind if I do!
What’s your favorite popcorn topping?
Now I really must go hit the gym before I say something corny!
Alyson @ Nourished Fitness says:
May 27th 2010um, yes please! I haven’t had popcorn in ages, and this sounds like the perfect way to reintroduce it!
Miz says:
May 27th 2010this is my fave thing too! I spritz with water (mist? tomato tomaaaahhhhhto) and toss with choc protein powder or choc PB2 :)
you and I are so alike.
Jessica@HowSweet says:
May 27th 2010My dad made the best popcorn, too! He made it on the stove, too and it was just so good. I bet this is great, too. I have 24 jars of pb2 in my basement…lol.
Marisa (Loser for Life) says:
May 27th 2010You are one brilliant lady! Yummmmy!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says:
May 27th 2010Ahhh, I just bought PB2 for the first time and was wondering what to do with it! Thanks for the suggestion!
And…RANCH seasoning. Girl, you crack me up. :-)
Monica says:
May 27th 2010Powdered PB? Never heard of a such a thing! Anyhow, I top mine with hot sauce and a touch of Parmesan cheese. My husband thinks that something is wrong with me…..
connie says:
May 27th 2010I cant wait, my pb2 is expected to arrive today, after a 3 month wait, i wished i would have ordered more since it takes so long to get….cant wait to try it….
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
May 27th 2010That sounds GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I rememebr in my olden days the Jiffy Pop. I loved watching that stuff pop but nothing like making your own!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says:
May 27th 2010powdered peanut butter? there’s such a thing?
kalli@fitandfortysomething says:
May 27th 2010how creative! that is a great way to use PB2……no favs here…..i really am not a big popcorn fan :(
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
May 27th 2010I love popcorn but I’ve never tried it with peanut butter. My favorite way is to top it with Parmesan cheese.
sian-girlgetstrong says:
May 27th 2010what is pb2? I have never heard of it? I also would never to think to put protein powder on my popcorn??! I MAY have to try it…I wonder if my kids would digg it?
april says:
May 27th 2010Mmm that sounds delicious!! Does PB2 have a new design?? My jar looks way different but I’ve had it a year now! LOL
Mom says:
May 27th 2010LOL… HIs bowl really feeds 4.000.
Now I am getting Joanna’s crickett bowl!
angela says:
May 27th 2010love love love popcorn – it reminds me of my grandpa! we used to pop a great big bowl in the old-fashioned pop-corn maker and i’d sidle up to him on the couch while we munched popcorn and veggies, sipped a soda, and flipped between football and whatever-else-was-on-during-commercials (’cause gramps can’t stand ‘em!). to this day i love me a big fresh bowl of popcorn and while i love just a plain bowl, some of my fave ways to spice it up is:
* chili powder and a sprinkle of parmesan for when i want something spicy
* cinnamon and splenda/stevia for when i want something sweet
* …and drizzles of melted dark chocolate when i really wanna indulge (without the guilt!)
popcorn is one of the best nighttime snacks because it’s a whole grain that fills you up on very few calories…plus (little known fact) popcorn boosts your serotonin levels which relaxes your body for a good night’s sleep! so munch away – just watch the fat content (i.e. no butter – just light oil for popping!) which slows your digestion and might cause you to toss and turn. mmm…now i want popcorn! thanks for the post joanna – lovely as always and a little trip down memory lane with my poppa…great way to start the day!
Evan Thomas says:
May 27th 2010I don’t remember the last time I had popcorn. You make me want to break out the air popper! I know Mama Pea had an amazing recipe for vegan kettle corn
Naomi(onefitfoodie) says:
May 27th 2010LOVE popcorn straight up! but then again i really havent been that creative when it comes to popcorn so I should try some of this!
The Candid RD says:
May 27th 2010You and your protein powders!! Putting it on popcorn?!?! Crazy girl!! I guess it does sound good…the way you explain it…..my favorite popcorn topping is nutritional yeast. Yeah, I know, weird, but try it!! It has protein too :) Oh, and I make popcorn EVERY SINGLE night!
Crystal says:
May 27th 2010I know it’s not that great for me, but I love topping popcorn with chocolate chips and some cinnamon. :)
connie says:
May 27th 2010got my pb2 today…..im in love, its sooooo good…..cant wait to try on some popcorn, what a great idea the pb2 bought 6 jars and will order more since it takes forever to get in the mail….wow now a way to get my sugar cravs undercontrol…
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