Settling in for a Movie Marathon? Don’t Forget the Popcorn!

Remember all those Saturday afternoons when you and your pals sat in your hometown movie theater, cheering for the good guys in the white cowboy hats and munching the world’s greatest popcorn? Well, guess what? You can re-create that old-time, healthy taste treat right in your own kitchen. This recipe makes two theater-size servings.

3 tbsp. of coconut, peanut, or grapeseed oil*
⅓ cup of organic popcorn kernels
2 tbsp. of melted butter (or more to taste)
Salt and pepper (optional)

Heat the oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Put three or four popcorn kernels into the pan, and cover it. When the kernels pop, add the remainder so they form an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Replace the cover, remove from the heat, and wait 30 seconds. Return the pan to the heat, keeping the lid slightly ajar (this way, steam can escape, keeping the popcorn drier and crisper). As soon as the kernels start popping, move the pan back and forth over the burner until several seconds elapse between pops. Then remove the lid, and dump the popcorn into a wide bowl. Toss it with the melted butter and the seasonings, if desired. Then fire up the DVD player, and dig in.

*These oils all have high smoke points, which makes them ideal for popping perfect popcorn—because they won’t burn or smoke until they reach 520°F.