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Smoked Paprika Popcorn

Homemade popcorn popped in a little olive oil and tossed with smoked paprika and a pinch of salt. A wholegrain, vegan snack free from the major allergens, ready in 7 minutes.

Snack

7

Serves 2

A close-up of fluffy freshly popped popcorn with a light golden seasoning

Ingredients

  • 40g/1½oz popcorn kernels (about ¼ cup)
  • 2 tsp (10ml) olive oil or rapeseed (canola) oil
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • A pinch of fine salt (about ⅛ tsp)

Method

  1. Put the oil and 3 popcorn kernels in a large saucepan with a lid over a medium to high heat. When the kernels pop, the oil is hot enough.
  2. Add the rest of the kernels, put the lid on, leaving it slightly ajar so steam can escape and the popcorn stays crisp, and shake the pan to coat them in oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan every few seconds, until the popping slows to 2 to 3 seconds between pops.
  3. Take the pan off the heat and leave the lid on for 30 seconds so the last kernels can pop without burning.
  4. Tip the popcorn into a large bowl, leaving any unpopped kernels in the pan. While it is still hot, sprinkle over half the paprika and salt and toss well, then add the rest and toss again. Best eaten the same day, but it keeps in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Why it works

A bowl gives you 3g of fibre for 121 calories, with 13g of carbohydrate.

Why popcorn. Popcorn is a whole grain, and popping your own lets you control the oil and salt. Many shop-bought and microwave popcorns are coated in sugar, butter or a lot of salt.

Why it is tagged for blood sugar. A portion has only 13g of carbohydrate, with fibre from the whole grain, so it has a modest effect on blood sugar compared with crisps or sweets.

Shake and listen. Shaking the pan stops the kernels at the bottom from burning, and taking it off the heat as soon as the popping slows avoids a burnt smell.

Free from gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, peanuts, soya and sesame as written. Popcorn is a choking risk, so do not give it to children under 5. For a crunchy, higher-protein snack, try the smoky roasted chickpeas.