The Easiest (and cheepest) Microwave Popcorn

In the information world we live in, I sometimes assume what I know everyone else knows. I sometimes don't share my tips and tricks that I find every so handy because I am sure you have already heard it. That is the case with making your own microwave popcorn. We are big popcorn people but I could never eat the standard microwave kind. Something about the taste was too much for me. When I was a kid my parents had an air popper and I liked the plain taste of this grain. I did not want to have a bunch of uni-taskers (appliances that only did one thing) so I just felt I could never have popcorn unless I wanted the rich, chemical filled kind that was set for the microwave OR try my hand at it on the stove.

I am not one for the stove with certain things. I have no idea why but I can't make popcorn, caramel or pancakes on the stove. Well I can if you like them a bit blacken. I have worked YEARS in camp kitchens, restaurant kitchens and of course my own but have never mastered the skill of making those items. Maybe it is a patience thing.

Anywho....A few years ago I found how to make popcorn using a simple paper bag. That's right, the only thing that stood in my way of the awesome movie experience was a lunch sack. I have been making it this way ever since. It is more than a movie going treat too. We use it in place of the sandwich in our kids lunches for a great source of grain. It is a very filling low calorie treat as well. You can add a dusting of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet craving or some garlic salt in place of those potato chips.

If you are asking how? Let me show you.

First, get a paper lunch sack and a bag of unpopped popcorn (costs about 1.20 per bag)

 Then get 1/4 a cup of the popcorn and dump in the bag.

Seal up the bag so there is still room for the popcorn to pop up but the top of the bag isn't touching the top of the microwave. Pop for about 2 minutes. If the bag falls over, take it out and you are done. Once it is on it's side it will start to overcook the popcorn and it will burn.

Enjoy!

 

As I said before I like it plain but most people don't. You can melt butter and pour over the top and then add seasonings OR you can use olive or sunflower oil to get some of that healthy fats into your diet. I have mine in a spray bottle with 1 part oil and 3 parts water but I have seen Pampered Chef and Weight Watchers ones that you just add the oil and the work is done for you.

Love, Pizza and Cookies

This past weekend we had a family date and made some pizza. The chefs were ready at the counter to start making their pie and of course make a mess. We used a pre-made crust I found at the grocery store but we have also made our store own crust using this recipe. Gathering up our sauce, cheese and Italian seasoning we were ready to go. The boys don't like topping so we made a cheese pizza, but if you want you can add any toppings you like. Then we set up an assembly line to make sure every one got a turn. 


Chef Jack added the sauce with some help from Daddy.

                                                  Chef Archer adds the cheese.

Chef Hudson does a little shake shake shake to add the seasoning.










      With a few cut up strawberries and a bread stick, Chef Archer enjoys his handy work.









We also made cookies. Oatmeal raisin cookies are not a big hit in our house because my husband does not like raisins, he will eat dried cranberries though. With Valentines Day coming up; the splash of red is a great holiday inspired treat without too much work. Of course making anything into a heart is fun, you can even make a heart pizza if you make your own dough, I wanted to do something that 3 toddlers could all do at one time. With one heart cookie cutter we were sure to have some fights.

                                                         Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

 makes 2 dozen cookies

1 cup butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 cups quick cooking oats 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1.	In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
2.	Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar.
3.	Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.