Homemade Popcorn

I hope to encourage you to make some homemade classic snacks. They really aren't as difficult and mysterious as they seem.
Popcorn first…
You will need popcorn (raw) it’s usually in bags or jars near the microwave popcorn at any grocery store or stuff-mart.

It’s inexpensive. Generally costing under $2 for a 1 lb bag. From one bag of popcorn you can get probably 10 or more large microwave popcorn bag servings. That’s a guesstimate  I've never actually counted. You can see how much of a money saver it is though, considering that one box of 3 microwave packages costs a dollar at the least expensive place.
You probably already have the rest of what you need. Cooking oil, a 2 quart saucepan and whatever flavoring you like such as salt, butter, Parmesan cheese, etc.


So here’s the instructions: Over Medium heat add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 3 kernels of popcorn into the pot. Cover the pot with a lid (a clear lid is really handy but not necessary) and wait until those 3 kernels pop. When they do you know that the oil is hot enough to add 1/3 cup of popcorn and replace the lid. Slide the pot back and forth over the burner constantly so that the corn doesn't stick and burn. When you don’t hear popping for 2-3 seconds you know it’s all popped. Have a bowl (or several) ready to pour your popcorn into the lid will have probably lifted off some from all that fresh popcorn so the bottom kernels are at risk of burning if you leave it in the pot.

Toss it with your salt, butter (melt the butter first), cheese whatever you like. There are toppings made specifically for popcorn that you can find in your popcorn aisle.

I think it has so much more flavor than microwave popcorn, and it's a lot more fun to make!

It's a chili day

I have to go to the store. Husband is a little cold at work today so... chili it is. right now I hardly look at other ppl's recipes. So I don't know why I'd share one. (hmmm, maybe other ppl really do read them). Even my sis who doesn't eat anybody's chili will eat mine. So here goes... the thing about making chili is that it's yours! If you don't like part of it, don't put it in. (leave the beans out if you want!)You control what goes in it so you control if you like it!
I use:
1 lb or so of browned ground beef
some cans of kidney beans
1 packet of mild chili seasoning
1 cut up onion
1 cut up pepper - the color of the pepper depends on my mood and budget
1 can of v8 or tomato sauce
some cans of tomatoes - the kind depends on my mood
then I cook it in a big pot
sometimes I add cheese to the top
** here is my secret ingrediant**
I always use scoop chips as a spoon. It's always more fun to eat anything in a novel way so it gets eaten (even if you know it's good for you!)