OLIVE OIL PARMESAN BLACK PEPPER POPCORN

I love love love popcorn. It's definitely my "go to" savory treat. Watching my calories I try to satisfy most my cravings with the low-fat microwave kind...but every now and then when I really feel like indulging, I make the real stuff. You know...the old school on the stove kind. It's the only kind my mom made when we were growing up. Most the time I just use olive oil and a little sea salt, but when I really feel fancy I make this stuff. And it's always worth it!

(You may notice in my picture the cheese didn't quite melt onto the popcorn, but that's because I had a 2 year old emergency right when I was taking the popcorn off the stove and I added the cheese after the popcorn had cooled. It was still really good. But I promise if you add the cheese right away, it's melts great.)

OLIVE OIL PARMESAN BLACK PEPPER POPCORN
(Mindi Original)

1/4 C. olive oil
1/2 C. popcorn corn kernels
fresh ground black pepper to taste
sea salt to taste
1/4 C. fresh grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a large pot with a lid (at least 2 qt.), or stock pot with a lid, add the olive oil and popcorn kernels.
2. Place the lid on the pot and put the pot over high heat.
3. Allow to heat until the you start to hear sizzling and the popcorn start to pop, then reduce the heat to medium/high.
4. Watch the pot carefully and allow all the popcorn to pop. Once the popping slows down or stops, take the popcorn off the heat. Let it rest for about a minute (with lid on), then take the lid off and poor into a large bowl.
5. Immediately toss in the cheese, salt and pepper. Start with about 1 or 2 teaspoons of salt & pepper then add more to taste. (Make sure you add the cheese first when the popcorn is the most hot. This will allow the cheese to melt a bit and adhere to the popcorn.)