Popcorn reminds me so much of one of my nursery rhymes while growing up. It’s funny because we always sing it whenever we are having popcorn as lunch.

Even now as an adult, I always sing that song especially while preparing popcorn at home. Homemade popcorn is healthier because you can use milk preferably powdered milk and honey in place of sugar and it’s so easy and fast to prepare.

Popcorn is a well-liked party first course, all day snack and most especially an essential companion for movies. You cannot watch movies at the cinemas without a pack of popcorn in your hand.

You do not need to have a microwave or fanciful machine before popping your corn on a stove top, it is that simple to prepare.

Popcorn basically means a unique type of corn that pops when brought to heat. It’s not all corn that pops, in Nigeria, we have varieties of corn but popcorn’s are locally prepared using the yellow organic species that is small in size. This type pops very well and is the best popcorn kernels.

Popcorn Health Benefits

Popcorn stands out near the top of the list of likely healthy snacks out there so let us bring on the popcorn. Organic corn is a delicious snack that comes with a lot of health benefits.

Whole grains, fiber, and antioxidants are all wrapped up in this simple snack.

It is a natural whole grain that is high in dietary fiber, rich in complex carbohydrates and is low in fat. It also contains important nutrients which include vitamins and minerals thereby making it a healthy snack. It is important to eat this healthy snack because of its high-fiber diet. Fiber helps protect the heart, aids in digestion and can even prevent diabetes and weight loss. It is low in calories because it is filled with air. It’s amazing how a small kernel turns out big after being popped, which means you get a large quantity without a lot of calories.

Also Read: Nigerian Cabbage Stew: Preparation And Health Benefits

Stove Top Popcorn

Stove top Popcorn is basically Popcorn made on a Stove with a gas hob instead of using a microwave or a machine. You actually need three items to pop corn over the stove:

A heavy-based saucepan with a lid, oil, and popcorn of course! Now let’s get started…

INGREDIENTS

1 cup popcorn (ask for a variety of corn used in making popcorn, it’s usually small and yellowish) Honey and Powdered milk to taste 3 tbsp vegetable oil

STEP BY STEP

Purchase plain, organic popcorn kernels at a local natural foods store. Use healthy oil (organic butter preferably) and pour 3 tablespoons into a heavy-based saucepan. Once heated add three kernels in the pan and wait for the all three Kernels to pop. When they are all popped, remove them from the oil quickly then pour 1/3 cup (milk cup) of popcorn in the pan and cover it. As it pops, make sure you shake the pan occasionally to ensure an even distribution and allow the steam to escape. It also stops the popcorn from burning. Remove from the pan when the popping stops and season as you like. (You can use garlic powder and cayenne pepper but I prefer honey and powdered milk). Once the popping sound stops, remove from heat and transfer to a bowl immediately. Stir in the powdered milk and toss well, then add the honey and mix well. You can spread on a tray and put it in the oven for about 2 minutes, otherwise stop at step 8 and serve.

Fix yourself a big bowl of popcorn, and stay healthy.

PLEASE NOTE: