There’s just something nostalgic about a Friday evening with popcorn, a movie you’ve been dying to watch and someone you enjoy to watch it with. While it’s easy to buy popcorn and pop it in the microwave, by choosing to pop your own popcorn on the stove, the flavors you can create will be a wonderful treat that will feel quite decadent.

Depending upon your preferences, you can make popcorn for your sweet tooth or a savory batch that will satiate your craving for salty gourmet goodness. Here are a few recipes that I enjoy making.

Ingredients:

Parmesan & Truffle Butter Popcorn

*1/4 cup white truffle oil (alternatives – extra virgin olive oil or melted butter)

*1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

*salt

*1/3 cup white popcorn

or

Orange & Dark Chocolate Popcorn

*1 ounce dark chocolate (shave from the brick)

*zest of one orange

*1/3 cup white popcorn

Directions:

1. For both recipes, use a skillet that has a lid. Before placing the lid on, heat the skillet over medium heat, place about 1 tablespoon olive oil and ONE kernel. Wait until the kernel pops, then put 1/3 cup popcorn kernels into the skillet and cover.  Begin to move the pan back and forth across the stove top in a regular rhythm (this is a great workout for your biceps and abs – hold them tight).

2. When the popping begins, it will take about 1-2 minutes for each kernel to pop.  Remove from the skillet. For each recipe, add half of each of the ingredients to the popcorn while it is still in the skillet. Place the lid back and shake to toss the popcorn well. Then take off the lid and add the remaining ingredients. Place the lid back on and toss again. Each time, be sure to taste and add more or less of what you’d prefer.

Enjoy!

Image: Simply Luxurious