PARMESAN GARLIC POPCORN ("gourmet" popcorn files, part 1):

I know I've mentioned this multiple times, but in case you're new to the party: I am a popcorn addict.

No no, really. Like probably an unhealthy amount? Not quite sure. If I keel over soon, you all know it's most likely from excess popcorn consumption. Ehhhh there are worse ways to go, right?

So now that we're on the same page, let me explain this post:

When I was a sophomore in college my friend's dad owned a grocery store. He got samples of new food products to try to see if he'd want to sell them, so when Kernel Season's came about- they sent him a ton of popcorn seasoning to try. Being the cool guy he was, he gave them to us to try out- which we promptly had a popcorn party with. Since that day, I've been buying this, and only this brand of popcorn seasoning- for the copious amount of popcorn I eat. To keep it from being the same old, same old, I started adding other spices and such - and realized it was time to send some fanmail.

Yep, fanmail. People spend so much time these days just sending negative feedback when they aren't happy with a product or service, but rarely take the time to send fanmail. So like a proper groupie- I sent fanmail to Kernel Season's. I told them I've been buying their stuff since the beginning and was hoping to post about their seasonings. What did they do? They sent me a gift box of their current flavors. If they weren't in another state I would hug them. Hard. And then make them popcorn.

I realize this is the longest intro EVER to a recipe post, but I wanted to give you background before you thought this was just a sponsored post and this was all just fake. Other than the seasoning they so kindly sent me, I'm not getting paid or forced to do this post or anything. This is the first in a "gourmet" popcorn series, using one of their seasonings & other flavors to enhance them!

So here goes:

Popcorn is a huge crowd pleaser (especially if the crowd is me), but I never feel like bringing plain popcorn to a party is really special...seems kind of like a copout to making something better. So I decided to start using seasoning to make popcorn that seemed "fancy" - but was easier to make than anything else!

What you'll need:  *recipe is for 5 cups popped popcorn

- Popcorn popper & White Corn kernels

- Veggie or canola oil (amt depends on your popper)

- 3 Tbsps butter

- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

- 1 heaping teaspoon dried basil

- 2 teaspoons Kernel Season's Garlic Parmesan seasoning 

** you COULD use bag popcorn- just make sure to get white corn, like Jiffy Pop Tender White**

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Pop your popcorn!

Step 2: Melt your butter and drizzle lightly over your popped corn.

Step 3: Shake in your Kernel Season's and dried basil.

Step 4: Top with shredded Parmesan, and enjoy!!

Easy, right?

So of course now you see why I said it's "gourmet"...in quotations. It's actually just a cheap, easy treat to bring to a party  or work (or eat all by yourself)...but it sounds so much nicer to say "I'm bringing Garlic Parmesan Popcorn to the party!" than "I'll bring popcorn", now doesn't it?

Alright, that's all for now.No more popcorn babbling!

Anyone else have a good idea for mixing with Garlic Parmesan seasoning?

Pass it my way, I'll probably be making more tonight :) 

xo, lp 

thanks again to Kernel Season's. your stuff is seriously the best. and so are you. xo.