United-Flavors-of-America-Popcorn-Illinois

Illinois’s Popcorn

With its 333 popcorn farms encompassing nearly 50,000 acres of the Land of Lincoln, Illinois claims Popcorn as its official snack food. Popcorn may seem like just a movie-time indulgence, but it’s actually ‘popping’ with nutrition. As a whole grain – meaning it still has the germ, bran and endosperm – each part is bursting with its own special feature – Vitamin B, fiber and antioxidants. While munching on the theater or microwave oven versions might not be as beneficial, try it this way to slash the calories from the cooking oils.

Munch on this Artsy Air-popped Popcorn

1 cup popcorn

spray oils

savory spices

Pre-heat oven to 100 degrees or lowest setting. Air-pop popcorn according to direction. Spread popped corn on a lined cookie sheet. Lightly mist with spray oil – olive, coconut, walnut, avocado – be creative. Pick out favorite – or infrequently used – spices and sprinkle on top. Consider Parmesan cheese or even nutritional yeast ­– get innovative. Warm in the oven for 3 minutes to set flavors.

Sources

http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/symbols/snackfood.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=dailytip&dbid=76

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