Movie Time (with popcorn recipe).............

There is nothing nicer than curling up with your favourite old movie and a yummy snack. Obviously the only movie snack choice I would consider is of course popcorn. I love popcorn, naturally vegan AND gluten free it is the perfect little treat. Having always loved sweet popcorn I recently fell in love with Proper Corn salted popcorn. The perfect alternative to crisps. Several bags into this new found foodie heaven I started thinking (dangerous I know!) homemade popcorn is a much healthier and far less expensive alternative. Plain popcorn is low in calories, high in fibre and has a high level of polyphenols (antioxidants) which makes it a healthy alternative for snacking. So I decided to pick up some popcorn kernels and attempt to make some popcorn at home.

To make 50g popcorn (2 servings) you will need:

 •50g popcorn kernels

 •2 tablespoons Rapeseed oil

 •1 tablespoon Agave syrup

 •A sprinkle of sea salt

 

Method:

 •Add the oil and syrup to a heavy based saucepan, stir together.

 •Pour the kernels in and swish them around so they are coated with the oil and syrup.

•Place saucepan on a medium heat and fit the lid, (ideally with a steam vent, if not then hold lid slightly open.)

 •Keep moving the pan, so the kernels are constantly moving around, preventing them from burning.

•They will begin to start popping, once the popping slows down to 1-2 pops every few seconds take off the heat, (this usually seems to be after six minutes on the heat.)

 •Wait 30 seconds before transferring to a serving bowl then sprinkle with a small amount of sea salt if desired.

(Recipe from www.theveggieblog.co.uk)

50g (made as above) = 300 calories, 40g carbohydrate, 14g fat, 5g protein, 442 mg sodium, 0g sugar.

 Popcorn can be made completely plain without any syrup or seasoning, but I much prefer it salted! You can uses spices such as ginger and cinnamon to make a sweet, healthier alternative too. It can also be made without oil, just air popped. But rapeseed oil is high in omega oils (essential fatty acids,) which the body cannot produce itself and they are essential for all systems of the body to function. So it has health benefits as well as being tasty.