The Lost Art of Family Movie Night - And Awesome Popcorn Topping Recipe

Family movie night has long been a way to enjoy time with loved ones, but has fallen by the wayside for many in recent years.  Over scheduling and personal electronics have reduced the time we have for each other and created a situation where even in the same room, there is conversational dead space punctuated with the dings, clicks, and trills of modern electronics.  In our house we have reclaimed family time by returning to movie night, and making it special with homemade ice cream sundaes, make your own pizza night, and fresh, stove popped popcorn.  Not only does this save a ton of money and help turn junk food slightly healthier (because who doesn't want to put veggies on a pizza in the shape of their favorite band album!), but it is a great excuse to get to talk to them and be present in their life.  Nearly all (good) parents will find it hard stay relevant in their teenagers life at some point, but finding excuses to listen to them and do enjoyable things together definitely greases the wheels.  We keep them interested in movie night by picking movies together or in rotation so even if they aren't 100% invested in every movie they keep an open mind knowing we will soon be trusting them not to choose a horrible film as payback.  Sure, I have watched every Rocky film, and way more Arnold Schwarzenegger films than I care to admit, but I have also seen many that I enjoyed and would have never watched on my own.  And the same is true for them.  I may be more into horror movies than romance, but I am sure they have thought more than once, "wow, we are watching I, II, and III?"  But on other occasions have talked about how a movie was far from their expectations and quite good.

One of our favorites for these nights is popcorn.  It is fast, cheap, and healthier than other options like ice cream or chips.  We always stove pop our popcorn.  Always!  Because we make popcorn so often, we invested in one of those stovetop pots with the wooden handle and turn crank, but it is completely unnecessary.  Many people have the mistaken idea that they need to have an expensive oil or hot air popper, but the truth is you can make it on the stove in any skillet with a lid.  Skillets with vented lids work best, but even any old cast iron one will do if you set the lid ajar for steam to escape.  That was the way my grandmother taught me to make it.  A few tablespoons of vegetable oil (or coconut oil) with a few kernels on high heat to get things starting.  When the kernels pop in the hot oil, you can add 1/4 cup of dry kernels (depending on the size of your skillet) with the lid ajar.  Gently shake back and forth over the flame or burner while corn pops, stopping when popping slows or pan becomes too full.  Immediately pour into large bowl to vent steam and season with salt or popcorn seasoning.  One of our families favorite recipes for popcorn seasoning goes like this:

Healthy and Delicious Popcorn Topping

1.5 cups nutritional yeast flakes
few table spoons dried chives
garlic powder to taste
salt (if desired, but I usually salt separately so I can use lots of topping)

Put all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and process until pulverized into a fine powder.  It is very delicious and has an almost cheesy (but not cheesy) flavor that is enhanced by the garlic and chives.  It is a unique taste that is enjoyable and has a sense of umami.  Nutritional yeast is low in calories and full of B vitamins, so you don't have to feel bad about using tons of it. It is also Vegan.  You can modify this recipe to fit and number of tastes.  Try using them on popcorn popped in minimal oil to give a flavorful lift to any diet.  Try these instead of garlic and chives:

Cilantro and Lime Zest
Chipotle or Chili Powder
Ranch Dip Mix (or Buttermilk Powder)
Taco Seasoning (or Cumin and Tomato, Garlic, and Onion Power)
Hickory Salt and Garlic, Onion, and Tomato Powder for BBQ
Curry Powder

You can also try popcorn toppings that don't contain nutritional yeast at all, such as Cinnamon and Cocoa or Cinnamon and Powdered Sugar for a light hint of dessert without much guilt.

A quick tip for dispensing and storing Popcorn Topping:  Take a used mason jar lid and punch holes in it with a blade screwdriver, being careful not to injure yourself.  You can use this lid to shake out topping as you eat, then swap for a regular mason jar lid or put plastic wrap between the ring and lid.  It keeps fresh this way, and goes on evenly.  Enjoy!