From the Kitchen: Coconut Oil Popcorn

My friend Leslie introduced me to this recipe (if you can call it that) for making popcorn.  I LOVE popcorn but I'm not a big fan of the microwaved-bag variety...and previously the air-popped popcorn that I had made was dry and flavorless.  This coconut oil popcorn is delicious, easy, and health(ish)...coconut oil is better than using butter, right??  Don't worry, it does NOT taste like coconut (my husband is addicted to this popcorn and he despises coconut).  It tastes buttery, salty, and delicious!  We may or may not eat this popcorn, along with apples and cheese, for dinner....like once a week.

First of all, you need to introduce these things to your life:

Coconut Oil Popcorn

Ingredients:

1/3 cup popcorn kernels
1 tablespoon coconut oil (I use Trader Joe's)
Coconut oil cooking spray (I use Trader Joe's. Most grocery stores also carry the PAM brand)
Popcorn salt (I use Morton's.  You can also use regular salt - I like the ultrafine popcorn salt because it sticks well!)

Directions:

Put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large glass bowl (mine is a Pyrex bowl).  Heat it in the microwave until the oil is melted, 30-60 seconds.  Add 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels to the coconut oil and swirl to coat the kernels.  Place in the microwave and cover with a vented lid or plate (This is important! You will have a giant mess in your microwave if you don't cover the bowl!)  Cook for approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds (your microwave may require more or less time than mine....listen for the popping to slow down considerably).

Remove from the microwave using oven mitts (the bowl will be crazy hot).  Spray the popcorn with the coconut oil spray and immediately sprinkle with (a lot of) popcorn salt.  Cover the bowl and toss to coat, repeating as necessary for the desired amount of salt.