Sunday, October 7, 2012

Garlic, Thyme & Parmesan Popcorn



Yesterday was a great day. 

My Dad was finally able to come home after spending approximately seven weeks recovering from a hip replacement.  We would go and visit him at the rehabilitation facility each week, but it was not the same as visiting at my childhood home where my parents still reside.  Though my parents are aging, I still think of them as young parents who can do anything.

They are extremely active from my Dad continuing to consult with his clients to my Mom’s vast volunteer activities to their monthly RV excursions in their thirty foot motor home that my Dad still commands the driver seat.  Oh and they tow a jeep wrangler in the back.  Though my Dad is now taking a respite from his busy life, I have no doubt that he will be back in action very soon.

Yesterday was a great day.  Yes I am saying it again. Smile.  My Dad was home.  It is a good thing. We ate dinner all together as family and all seemed to be getting back to normal again.  Just simply hanging out with my parents was a great day.  Popcorn was a staple in our household growing up.  From piling into the car to go to the drive in movies to simply having a bowl while watching television, it was something my Mother would always make.


Popcorn in our house was always white not yellow.  Always popped in a cast iron pan that my Dad owned prior to meeting my Mom and often drizzled with melted butter.  To assist with ensuring the butter touched every popped kernel, my Mom would dump into a double paper bag and then hit with the melted butter and salt.  With my parents on my mind, I thought I would whip up a batch of popcorn and add a gourmet spin.  I actually polished off a bowl while writing this post.  Delish!

Garlic, Thyme & Parmesan Popcorn

6 T. Salted Butter
4 to 6 Garlic Cloves, finely minced (About 2 tablespoons)
3 T. Canola or Vegetable Oil
1/2 C. White Popcorn Kernels
1/2 C. finely grated parmesan cheese
2 T. Fresh Thyme Leaves, rough chop
Sea salt to taste

In a sauce pan, melt the butter then add the minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves

You’ll need a large heavy-bottomed pot with lid. Heat oil over medium heat with 2 or 3 popcorn kernels. Once the kernels begin to pop, cover with a lid.  Shake periodically so the kernels do not burn.  Once you stop hearing popping, take off the heat.  Add to a large brown paper bag.  Best to double the paper bags to allow for the oil to absorb and not come through.

Drizzle the garlic and thyme butter over all of the popcorn once in the brown bag and shake well.  Next add the parmesan cheese and shake well.  Taste and then add salt and shake well, until it reaches the desired taste levels you are looking for.  Next add one tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves. With the salted butter and parmesan cheese, you may not need to add too much salt.


21 comments:

  1. Hi Lisa! Very happy to hear your good news and that all is well;-)
    Your popcorn with a gourmet twist is looking quite scrumptious, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such wonderful news about your dad! :) I love your gourmet popcorn - the garlic and thyme is just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Lisa,
    So glad to hear your Dad is doing better and home as I'm sure he is as well. We ate popcorn all the time too growing up that was the first thing I ever learned to make :). Your popcorn sounds really tasty, I'm must try it out soon thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah, same here. My parents are older now, but to me, I don't know why...I feel like they are stuck in their 30's. Guess that was the time I became acutely aware and curious about my parents' age - and that seems to have stuck to me. Back then, I thought 30's was "old", hehe. Glad to hear your dad is on his way to recovery! I'm sure he'll be jumping on his toes in no time!

    I'm watching a movie right now (while blogging), so this popcorn is making my mouth water. Did you say garlic? Luv, luv, luv!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just found you via Foodgawker as I had a photo accepted this evening! I could really use some of your delicious and savory popcorn for a midnight snack! My parents are in the early 80's so can relate. glad your Dad is home! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Morning, Lisa! Glad to hear the good news about your Dad! Loved hearing you share your story of popcorn growing up, such great memories! I am a white popcorn lover too, and can't wait to try this savory version!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lisa, I'm so glad that your dad is home; what a huge relief for the entire family. I'm sure it was nice for everyone to return to the old routine, including having this tasty popcorn!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am happy to hear about your father's recovery. When I read the recipe title I immediately thought how perfect this will be to make for tomorrow night when I watch Parenthood.

    ReplyDelete
  9. that popcorn sounds really good! Love homemade popcorn. I'm going to share this recipe with my current detox group, they'll love it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your gourmet spin sounds wonderful! Your dad's cast iron before he met your mom? WOW! That's probably one of the oldest kitchen gadget! Glad to hear his surgery went well and he's recovering. What a nice way to spend time with family with this proportion!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey there Lisa, I'm so glad your dad is on the mend and home. That is a brutally long recovery!

    And so funny about the popcorn, I just said to my husband yesterday "we need to pop more popcorn for the kids for snack time."

    I love your additions of garlic, thyme and Parm. Yum!

    xo
    E

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glad your dad is back home!
    This popcorn looks perfect - we love popcorn here!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a scrumptious popcorn recipe Lisa! I love snacking on flavored popcorn. Can't wait to try your recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Glad to hear you Dad is feeling better.
    Hubby is the popcorn maker in this house but he has never made a savory one. Going to show him your recipe. Thanks Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hip replacement can be brutal, I'm glad to hear that your dad is doing well.

    I am so bookmarking this popcorn! Love everything that's in it!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great news about your dad! This popcorn looks so addicting, I always make mine the boring way - just butter. I will have to try your recipe sometime!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks delicious! Popcorn is so much better freshly popped than that bag stuff...love it. Such a good flavor combo, yum.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That sounds so awesome Lisa! Popcorn is my favourite, favourite, favourite snack and this is such an awesome way to make it even better! Will be trying soon!

    ReplyDelete

It simply makes me smile when I receive a new comment and I look forward to hearing from you!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.