Hi guys! Still in Vegas. My sister and brother-in-law came to join Pete and I for 2 nights and I am so excited to go paint the town red with them. Er, or kind of. My sister being here helps me to find my scooter a little more funny than I was last night- which was not very. I am talking a little bit braver game than I am feeling sometimes lately- but trying to stay positive.
And then we sat next to a podiatrist at the black jack table last night (seriously! What are the odds?) who basically had no qualms telling me that his prognosis was that I would never walk normally again. Um. Talk about crushing my soul.
Pete and our friend Michelle assured me he couldn’t possibly be a “real” podiatrist and then Pete had to quickly whisk me upstairs before the vodka fueled water works set in. Today I am having a better attitude and finding great joy in all of the older gentlemen who are in much fancier scooters than I am that give me a head nod and a half smile when I pass- like we are in a club together. Are we? I guess we are…
I know that all of my whining is probably making you hungry. How about Lemon Coconut Popcorn?
Don’t you think that you probably need something sweet and delicious to snack on this weekend? It is super hot and sunny in Seattle right now (What the what?? By the way?!) but I am sure somewhere it has to be getting a little blustery, right? I have these visions of curling up by the fire and watching movies and stuffing this popcorn in my face. Sound good?
This is like kettle corn on crack. Uh, or so I would imagine. It’s got the light crispy sugary coating (which happens when you add the sugar to the pot after the popcorn is actually popped, but before you dump it out into a bowl, therefore mostly instantly melting the sugar with the retained heat) then you have the coconut oil and the finely shredded unsweetened popcorn to give it a mellow coconut flavor and a great texture. And finally the crowning jewel is the lemon zest!! It is just so good! A little lemon zest goes a long way in bringing a lovely hint of lemon flavor- although if you really love it you could add more than three lemons zest to the coconut oil, or even try grating some fresh lemon zest over the top of the popcorn. Ooooh, yum- I think I should have tried that….
Recipe: Lemon Coconut Popcorn
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup finely shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 3 lemons zest
- ½ cup popcorn
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar, coconut and salt.
- Preferably using a rasp, gather the zest from the free lemons. If you are just using a zester, then be sure to mince the zest.
- In a large pot, melt the coconut oil and add the zest over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels to the pot and a lid.
- Cook for a few minutes until the popcorn kernels have all popped and then remove from the heat.
- Immediately sprinkle in the sugar/coconut mixture and then pour directly into a serving bowl.
Preparation time: 5 minute(s)
Cooking time: 5 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 8
What a wild and fascinating combination of flavors! You come up with the most interesting ideas! When I was walking with a cane it was the older gentlemen who cheered me up the most. Once, in an elevator, I jokingly challenged one man to a duel with our canes! Fortunately, he laughed.
lol! they are charmers Terry! And I know that the flavors seem weird- but wow are they good! please try it!
I’m a popcorn fiend and I would devour this!
vodka fueled water works <— oh I've been there. And honestly, you have every right to be bawling your eyes out every second. I would be! The fact that you're in VEGAS baby and blogging and making awesome drinks and popcorn and not just at home laying in bed, well, my hat is off to you 🙂 xo
Thank you Averie- that makes me feel better already 🙂 Much appreciated!
This flavor is perfection! Love!!
thanks Jenny!!
Popcorn should be my middle name, I love it that much. And this popcorn looks like it would make me very happy!!
Oh man- me too Michelle- I literally can sit down with a whole bowl just for myself. Like a vat. And this variety is SO good!
Love that you’re scooting around Vegas! I’m also totally digging this popcorn, this is my kind of snack!
Thanks Kari- it is certainly more fun than scooting around at home!
I could snack on this all day long!
Thanks Maria- it is seriously delicious!
Enjoy your time in Vegas ~ this popcorn looks wonderful! Pinned 🙂
This is pure popcorn perfection, pinned!! Sorry about the jerk of a podiatrist sitting next to you at the table. Keep up the positive attitude and you will be fine:) have fun in Vegas!
What a unique flavor combo for popcorn! Haha, I hope you can paint the town red regardless of scooter or not!! Have fun 🙂 🙂
I tried to make this but utterly failed. How do you keep the zest from burning? How do you get the sugar to melt without burning the zest?
Hi- the zest turned brown, but mine did not burn? and the sugar should be sprinkled over the popcorn while still in the pan and then IMMEDIATELY the popcorn should be dumped into a serving bowl. The sugar won’t be completely melted. I’m so sorry that happened.
What a cool combo of flavors and with popcorn, no less.
BTW- I would not put much stock in the diagnosis of a so-called podiatrist who freely dispenses medical advice at the blackjack table – probably with a few drinks in him.
As we say here in New York – fugghetiboudit!
When you are feeling down, remember that verse, “I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.” Don’t worry about what the loser podiatrist said. Listen to your doctor. And to me, of course, 🙂
Beautiful Laura. And totally correct. Of course I listen to you guys 🙂