Perfect bowl of popcorn

Throw away the bags of microwave popcorn, which is unhealthy, and go back to making popcorn the way your mom and dad made it when you were a kid. This is a recipe for the perfect bowl of popcorn. 


• Cook time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 3 Tbsp canola, peanut or grapeseed oil (high smoke point oil)
• 1/3 cup of high quality popcorn kernels
• 1 3-quart covered saucepan
• 2 Tbsp or more (to taste) of butter
• Salt to taste

METHOD

1 Heat the oil in a 3-quart saucepan on medium high heat. If you add salt to the oil in the pan before popping, the salt will be well distributed throughout the popcorn.

2 Put 3 or 4 popcorn kernels into the oil and cover the pan.

3 When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer. Cover, remove from heat and count 30 seconds. This method first heats the oil to the right temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when they are put back on the heat, they all pop at about the same time.

4 Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping. Once the popping starts in earnest, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release (the popcorn will be drier and crisper). Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and dump the popcorn immediately into a  bowl.

5 Salt to taste.

Carmel Corn

This is another family favorite made by my sister-in-law, Cathy. Every year for Christmas she makes each family a large bag of carmel corn. It is so good that it never lasts more that one day.

Carmel Corn Cathy

Bag of already popped corn ( 5 qt. size)

Boil for 5 minutes:

2 c. brown sugar

1 c. butter

1 tsp. salt

½ c. karo syrup

Take off heat and add ½ tsp. baking soda. Pour popped corn into 2 greased roasting pans. Pour sugar/syrup mixture over popped corn and stir Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring evenly 15 minutes. Pour out on counter, separate pieces. Let dry. Store in gallon size zip lock bags. Makes 2 bags.

Protein Balls

Need a healthy snack? Try this recipe. These small bits of energy are delicious, addicting and good for you! We keep a bag of these balls in the frig all the time.

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup nonfat milk powder
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup crushed cereal, such as Honey Bunches of Oats

Add one or two of the following:
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup Craisins
1/3 cup sunflower nuts
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup walnuts


1. Combine peanut butter, milk powder, flaxseed, honey in a bowl and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips or other favorite from above list.
2. Roll mixture in small bowls and then roll balls in crushed cereal. Place on waxed paper.
3. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Chill time: 1 hour

Awesome Granola - Runners World

I wanted to share my favorite recipe for granola, which I found in an issue of Runners World magazine last fall. It’s easy, healthy, and delicious. And you can modify the recipe however you’d like. Oftentimes, I like to add dried cranberries, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, etc. You can really make the recipe your own. I love to eat the finished product with vanilla yogurt for breakfast or by itself as a mid-afternoon snack. Following is the recipe straight from Runner’s World. Enjoy! - Kristin

Makes 5 cups

2 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup wheat-bran cereal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup blanched whole or slivered almonds
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup buckwheat honey
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup seedless raisins

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine oats, bran, wheat germ, almonds, and cinnamon in a bowl. Heat the honey and oil in a saucepan until small bubbles appear around the sides of the pan. Pour over dry mixture and toss until well combined. Spread evenly in a foil-lined shallow baking pan. Bake 40-50 mins. or until golden brown, stirring every 10 mins. Add raisins. Cool and store in an air tight container.

Trail mix

This is so easy to make! You could have your kids help you, put all ingredients into a big plastic bag and let them shake it.



Ingredients:
1 C. mixed nuts
1 C. dry roasted peanuts
1 C. M & M Candies (plain)
1 C. raisins

Preparation:
Either in a large bowl or plastic bag pour all ingredients in and mix

Puppy Chow

1/2 c. butter
1 (6-oz) pkg. semisweet chocolate morsels
1 c. smooth peanut butter
1 (12.3 oz) box Crispix cereal
1 (16-oz) box confectioners' sugar

In a medium saucepan, heat butter, chocolate chips and
peanut butter until melted and smooth.
Place cereal in a large bowl and pour chocolate mixture over cereal.
Stir gently to coat.
Pout confectioners' sugar into a large bag.
Add cereal mixture and gently toss until
all of the cereal is coated.
Refrigerate in airtight container.