Saturday 4 January 2014

Parmesan Coconut Popcorn



I was in the mood for a healthy snack and in my endeavour to have a lighter January, I reached for the popcorn maker.

Many people think popcorn isn’t a healthy snack and they be right and wrong. The popcorn itself is full of fibre and if air-popped it’s virtually like eating air.

What kills it is the fat it can be popped in, then the toppings. From toffee, chocolate, even cheesy nowadays – they all make it not quite so virtuous.

I would totally recommend buying your own popcorn machine if you haven’t got one. You pop in the kernels and out they pop all cosy and fluffy, waiting to be devoured.



I still fancied cheesy popcorn though and settled for parmesan. Did you know that parmesan is lower in fat than a lot of other cheeses? 1 tablespoon actually has only 22 calories and 1 gram of fat! Plus I added some unsweetened desiccated coconut as I thought this would be a great flavour combo, but go gently on this as it’s not quite so low in fat.



To get the parmesan and coconut to stick, I grabbed one of those low-fat butter sprays that you can get in the supermarket. A few spritz of this and then toss in the topping and you are ready to snack away!

Ingredients:
50 grams of popcorn kernels
Low-cal butter spray
2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan
1 tablespoon desiccated coconut

Method:
Pop the kernels into a bowl and spray a few times with the low-cal butter spray. Sprinkle over the parmesan and coconut and toss until it begins to stick. Add a few more spritz of butter spray if you need to.




It’s as simple as that. The coconut and the parmesan go really well together, sort of sweet and savoury at the same time. Plus you are good in the knowledge that this snack isn’t going to ruin that post-Christmas diet. Happy snacking!

12 comments:

  1. That sounds amazing! I remember my mum making popcorn in a saucepan when I was young, always fancied trying that myself and will definitely try this recipe. Thanks

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    1. I remember my mum making it in a saucepan too - I used to eat it when watching the A-Team!

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  2. I love the idea of parmesan (veggie style of course) on popcorn, but not sure about pairing it with coconut. Hmmmm! Might have to try.

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    1. It goes really well Jac - Parmesan is umame in taste, and the coconut really compliments it!

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  3. Not a flavour combination I've had but sounds interesting! I love cheesy popcorn and am in admiration at your 'lighter January' approach...we're still eating Christmas goodies!

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    1. I eat all my Christmas goodies in between the big day and New Year. That way I can start the new year afresh, (but heavier)!!

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  4. Parmesan and coconut? Really? I think I might have to try that one just to decide!!! Certainly sounds very interesting and I'm always up for something different!

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  5. A very interesting flavour combo! I love gourmet popcorn that is on the rise recently, have you heard of Joe & Seph's? They have some great flavours I think you will like!

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  6. Parmesan and coconut, never thought to put the two together x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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  7. I love Joe & Seph's! Lots of great flavours!!

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  8. I use to buy those microwave popcorn packages, but now I just pop popcorn on my stove! Loving this combination!

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