Olive Oil Popcorn

I’m going to tell you a Weight Watchers secret.  You need to have fat every day to lose weight!  And olive oil is one of the preferred fats.  Since I’m telling secrets, I’ll share the snack I discovered from one of the gals in my old Weight Watchers group.  It’s SO easy!  Popcorn!  My friend used Orville Redenbacher’s 94% Fat Free Microwave Popcorn in the 100 calorie bags, because they were only 1 Weight Watcher’s point.  But, you can use any method of popping you like, including the one I used today.  Once you try my way, I bet you won’t go back to your way!  I used a brown lunch sack and 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels!  I can't believe it worked!

Olive Oil Popcorn
by Sandra Simmons

1 brown lunch-sized paper bag
½ cup Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn kernels
olive oil (I used Sciabica’s Jalapeno Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sciabica’s Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Sciabica’s Mission Variety Spring Harvest Varietal Olive Oil.)
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste (I used a large pinch of coarse kosher salt and black pepper in a pepper mill)

*I read many, many blog posts and websites on the subject of microwaving popcorn in a brown bag.  In the end, mine is a combination of other methods, but one site in particular had some great information. It's this one.  TipBusters says there is a risk of brown paper bags being flammable.

Open your brown lunch bag and place the popcorn kernels inside.  I closed the bag and folded it over about 4-5 times, but with very small folds.  I laid the bag in the microwave and cooked the kernels for 4 minutes on high.  I did stand by to listen for when I only heard popping every 1 second, and that was at about the 3 minute point.  Microwaves vary.

When the corn is cooked, pour the popped corn into a large serving bowl.  You will want to toss the popcorn with 1 teaspoon of oil per 3 cups of popcorn, if you are splitting up the corn to use different flavors of olive oil.  If you are using only one olive oil, drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss the popcorn.  Add salt and pepper, and spices or herbs as you like, and to taste, and then toss again.

The Sciabica’s Mission Variety Spring Harvest Varietal Olive Oil is very buttery tasting and is perfect for popcorn!  I loved the combination of the Sciabica’s Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil with freshly ground pepper.  If I had to choose a favorite, I would have to say it was the Sciabica’s Jalapeno Extra Virgin Olive Oil with the popcorn!  The aroma is pure jalapeno and it is hot, but not too hot!  Loved it!  For a sweet treat try olive oil, cinnamon, and sugar!