Popcorn Popper

I was out in Palm Springs a few weeks ago to do what I could to help a friend. I was able to run a lot of errands, cook meals, and just be there when she needed me.

Popcorn popper

We have a lot of great memories together, one of them being popcorn. We used to work together and every now and then, on a Friday, we would alternate bringing some sort of food into the office to share. I would bring sun dried tomato and chive cream cheese with bagels, and would bring it in on a Friday morning so the service guys could grab one before heading out for the day. A few Friday’s later, usually a payday, and she would make a huge batch of popcorn and bring it in after lunch so the service guys could grab some when they stopped in to pick up their paychecks.

One afternoon I made popcorn when when I was out there a few weeks ago, another one of our friends (we also worked together) was stopping by. I didn’t make just one batch of popcorn, but 5 batches! The air is so dry there, that it stays nice and crispy, crunchy for several days.

We all munched on popcorn through our tears and laughter. And we munched on it for the next few days along with other family members.

I am used to using a pan on the stove-top for making popcorn at home, but she had this nifty popcorn making pan. After a batch of instruction, I was on my way! Batch after Batch!

Are you a popcorn eater? How do you pop yours?

Sincerely, Emily

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Popcorn and Nutritional yeast the Perfect Snack!

When I went away to boarding school for my highschool years I was introduced to what I thought at the time was a strange dorm room snack.

All the girls were sprinkling this funny yellow substance on their popcorn each night.  They called it Brewer’s Yeast…which I found out later was actually nutritional yeast.  At first I wasn’t sure but then the taste started to grow on me (no pun intended!).  Now I cannot imagine eating my popcorn without it!

Nutrional yeast is a good source of protein and is high in the B-complex vitamins that are hard to find outside of animal sources.  This makes it an ideal food for vegetarians and vegans.  We eat it on toast, baked potatoes, and of course popcorn.  It is also used in many vegetarian recipes as a substitute for cheese in sauces.

It comes in large flake, small flake and powdered form.  We use the large flake.  I get ours through our co-op and it is also available in the bulk food section of most of our markets around here.

When we began our Real Food Challenge popcorn was substituted for other processed snacks.  I get organic multi-colored kernels through my food co-op.  The kids love the different colors…white, yellow, and dark purple!

We air-pop the corn and then drizzle on a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture of melted butter or margarine and olive oil.  Next is sea salt and then finally nutritional yeast.

Popcorn is an easy, inexpensive, and whole grain snack that everyone loves….

Next time you get out the popper considering trying it with a little nutritional yeast…you just may find your new favorite snack!

Kim can also be found at the inadvertent farmer where she raises organic fruits, veggies, critters, kids, and…a camel!

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