POPPED WITH PRIDE
Buttery, salty or sweet, popcorn is great as a movie snack but is so much more, Rita Demontis writes.
To truly enjoy binge-watching your favourite series, or taking in a film at your favourite movie theatre, ya gotta have popcorn.
Plain or buttered, or sweet and salty, popcorn fits the bill. Considered the granddaddy of all snack foods, according to the Chicagobased Popcorn Board (a non-profit organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors), popcorn was discovered in the Americas thousands of years ago, yet through the ages, has remained relatively unchanged: It’s a seed, which just happens to do some nifty things when heated.
“Popcorn is a happy snack; it’s comfort food. It makes everyday occasions feel special — a welcome feeling in the middle of a dreary winter,” says Wendy Boersema Rappel of the Popcorn Board (Popcorn.org). “Plus, after the holiday ‘gut glut,’ we’re all looking for better eating habits; popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, sugarfree, gluten-free, fibre-happy, non GMO and whole grain.”
And it tastes great! Whether you prefer popping your own, popping a bag in your microwave or air popping the kernels, it’s an easy treat to create.
You can have it plain or add a pinch of this, a touch of that. The Orville Redenbacher folks (some 6,505.191 kilograms of Orville are bought every year!) suggest a pinch of chili powder can provide just enough heat, or perhaps a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. For those with a sweet tooth, try adding some cinnamon and sugar to a bowl of plain popcorn.
This Friday is National Popcorn Day. Go celebrate with a bowl of popcorn and your favourite movie! Or consider serving one of the following recipes.