Seasoned Popcorn

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Here are some fun ways to zip-up the flavor of popcorn without adding calories or fat. You will need a hot-air popper to make the popcorn (or you can use a popper that calls for 1-teaspoon of canola oil -- but that adds a fat exchange).

Using 3-cups unseasoned popped corn, one carbohydrate (1 bread/starch) exchange, you can make these treats:

Asian Popcorn
Preheat oven to 250-degrees. Spread popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Mix together 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 2-teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1-teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/4-teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/4-teaspoon garlic powder. Drizzle over popcorn. Toss to coat evenly. Bake ten minutes, tossing once. Serve warm.

Italian Popcorn
Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Spread popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Mix together 1-teaspoon crushed dried Italian herbs, 1/8-teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over popcorn and lightly coat again with cooking spray. Toss. Bake for ten minutes, tossing once. Serve warm.

Mexican Popcorn
Put the popcorn in a large bowl and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Combine 1-tablespoon dried Mexican spiced salad dressing mix with 1/4-teaspoon crushed dried oregano, 1/4-teaspoon crushed dried thyme, and 1/4-teaspoon garlic powder. Sprinkle over popcorn. Toss to evenly coat. Lightly coat with additional cooking spray. Toss again and serve.

Orange Popcorn
Put the popcorn in a large bowl and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle with 2-1/2-tablespoons orange-flavored powdered drink mix (already sweetened with sugar substitute) and 1/2-teaspoon dried orange peel. Toss and coat again with cooking spray. Toss and serve.

Spicy and Sweet Popcorn
Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Spread popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Combine 2-1/2 tablespoons spoonable sugar substitute, 1/4-teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8-teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/4-teaspoon dried orange peel. Sprinkle over the popcorn and toss. Lightly coat again with cooking spray and toss. Bake for ten minutes, tossing once. Serve warm.

See also, Popcorn: A Whole Grain Snack and/or Healthy Popcorn Recipes from our Sister Site, BellyBytes.com.