Secret confession: I eat popcorn at least 4 times a week.
It's hands down my most favourite munchy snack of them all. Crispy, crunchy, salty or sweet, and it's actually a whole food so it ain't even that bad for you... until you douse it in melted vegan butter... which I most definitely do, but I'm not aiming for perfection here.
I have shared with you my 10 Minute Peanut Butter Popcorn which I make when I'm in the mood for peanut butter sweetness (99% of the time). But today I have a new discovery to share with you. This one is almost elegant. (Can popcorn be elegant)? Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn!
See? So elegant looking - with that branch of rosemary in there - all class, my friends.
I made this on a whim when my book club was arriving in a matter of minutes and my table was completely lacking in snacks (unacceptable when your job is to make food). You know how the saying goes: "when in doubt make popcorn!"
Ok no, that isn't really a saying but it totally passed with my bookclubers. My friends came in the door just as I was tossing this together, and I immediately heard "why does it smell so incredibly delicious in here!?" Win for the popcorn lovers. Two ginormous bowls were devoured immediately and paired quite nicely with wine. Fresh, fragrant, zesty, bursting with flavourful personality. I loved this popcorn so much, it has been my go-to ever since.
To make rosemary & lemon zest popcorn: I just toss popcorn kernels into my hot air popper (obsessed) and melt some vegan butter in the top little compartment. If you don't have an air popper you can totally make popcorn on the stovetop or in the microwave. Once popped, simply drizzle the melted vegan butter over the popcorn, sprinkle with the rosemary, lemon zest, and salt, give a little toss. Munch away, dear friends, munch away.
Rosemary & Lemon Zest Popcorn
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 Lemon, zested (about 1 teaspoon)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Pop the popcorn in an air popper, or pop with whatever method you normally use (stovetop or in the microwave works fine too).
- When the popcorn is popped, simply drizzle over the melted vegan butter, then sprinkle with the rosemary, lemon zest, and salt. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
lea says
I made your Pizza Popcorn from your new cookbook this week... I'm afraid I am addicted... However...if I keep going the way I am...my sun-dried tomatoes won't be packed in oil anymore and they'll just simply be dried up, sun-dried tomatoes... So in order for that not to happen ...I need to find something to fill in the gap..... I will give this recipe a shot..... But major kudos for the Pizza Popcorn....just may replace Doritos altogether!
Julie says
Rosemary is my secret ingredient to delicious homemade granola.
Karen says
Hi Sam! I have to say this looks fantastic. The only thing I will change is the vegan butter...I’ve used olive oil for years after I realized I have to melt the vegan butter anyway...it is sooooo good. And it will taste amazing with your recipe. Who’da think it? Sam would that’s who!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha you're too cute! So happy you enjoed it, Karen 🙂
Mikaela Barnes says
I've been obsessed with popcorn lately!! This is looks amazing!! Must try You can check out my blog for plant based recipes @ http://www.thenondairyfairy.com
Sam Turnbull says
I hope you enjoy it!
Mary says
I ate this twice last weekend -- so tasty! I make my popcorn in the microwave by throwing the kernels (no oil) into a brown paper lunch bag and folding the top down a couple times. Sometimes I seal the top of the bag with masking tape first to help minimize escaped kernels. Nuke it for 2 to 3 minutes and voila! You may have to pick a few kernels out of the microwave but the cost savings compared to commercial microwave popcorn is well worth it. After it's done popping, you can rip a little hole in the bottom of the bag and shake out the unpopped kernels. Pour it into a bowl to add the toppings.
I think your sodium listing is low though. The salt alone for each serving would have 290mg of sodium.
Thanks for another great recipe. I'm trying to hold off until the weekend to make it again 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Woohoo! So happy you enjoyed it. Great tips for those who have a microwave!
I popped the ingredients into my nutrition calculator again, and it came back with the exact same results. So not sure how to fix it for you! Glad you enjoyed the popcorn 🙂
Lea says
A few days ago, I went the paper bag route and when I opened the microwave after 3 mins....it was full of smoke!...Not sure why as I've done it before with more time...... So I used a pyrex bowl the next time......But if I ever use a bag again, cutting a hole in the bottom of the bag for unpopped kernels is such a great idea!
Rebecca says
Simply divine! I love the smell of the rosemary. I never would have thought to pair lemon zest with rosemary as a popcorn topping. This recipe hits all the right notes: tasty, aromatic, a beautiful presentation and so simple to make!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy you loved it, Rebecca! 😀
George says
Can't wait to prepare it... Left to find a good movie 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Enjoy 🙂
Kathy says
YUM! I got an air popper for Christmas (because of you!), and once I got off my lazy butt and ordered some organic popcorn kernels from Amazon — LOL — I have been eating popcorn ever since! It's just so darn easy to make. I have been eating chili lime but you can bet next time like probably tonight, I'll be trying this rosemary lemon. It does indeed look elegant. Popcorn is my new favorite snack! We always have a snack at happy hour and popcorn is the new answer to a healthy one. It also makes me eat less dinner which is a good thing! Thanks Sam.
Sam Turnbull says
Three cheers for popcorn!! So happy you love it as much as I do. I swear I could live off of the stuff. Haha!
Lee | LifeNaturalee says
Elegant is indeed a fantastic word to describe these 😀 So pretty! And I'm sure they are tasting as heck!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Thank you. Yes it's pretty darn scrumptious!