Homemade pop-pop

I am a mom. I want the best for my children. Healthy snacks kinda a challenge. But one snack that I know is always a hit with my kids is popcorn. Recently, it has come out in the news that the additive in microwave popcorn butter in prolonged exposure can cause lung cancer. I know that second hand smoke can cause cancer, too. I will not let someone puff a cigarette in my kid's face; so why the heck would I constantly and knowingly expose my kids to to another carcinogenic substance.  I have provided some links for you to decide for yourself.    In addition, I will provide you with a popcorn recipe. I like some popcorn. My son loves popcorn, or pop-pop as he calls it.


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295761,00.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/03/13/us-lungs-popcorn-idUSN1330524220080313
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/health&id=4136582
http://www.toxicology.org/pr/ButterFlavor.pdf


Yummy Spicy Homemade Popcorn


Recipe:
1 cup of popcorn kernels
4 tablespoons of oil
3 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning -- Optional -- (if you don't want it spicy skip this)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese -- Optional

I use smart balance; but you can
 use vegetable oil or olive oil.

Big Pot with lid.

To begin, you will need a 4 quart pot or bigger you will need a lid. You can use a smaller pot, but you will want to use less popcorn kernels. First add the oil and urn on the burner to medium high. Let the oil heat for 2 - 3 minutes.  Then add the popcorn and the garlic salt and the Cajun seasoning. 

After that, place the lid on the pot. Please note that the popcorn kerenls will be hot and will pop up. So, proceed with care!! Keep the temperture medium high; you will need a oven mit and and hold down the lid on the pot while you shake the popcorn around the pot. It should take a couple of minutes before the popcorn starts to pop. You do not have to continuous shake the pot; but you don't want the kernels to burn, so keep them moving around.

Once, the popcorn starts popping most of the kernels will follow. Just like microwave popcorn, you listen for when the pops get longer apart and when turn off the heat. Continue to wait after that; because stray kernels will pop.  This recipe is just a general description of making popcorn on the stove top, and it may take  you a couple of times to get it exactly the way you want it.  Sometimes, I use cracked pepper instead of Cajun seasoning. It is up to you on what you like: you may want just salt or just Cajun seasoning.

Then put popcorn into a bowl and as it cools add the Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!!