Garlic Parmesan Popcorn

It's National Popcorn Day! So, I had to share this yummy snack recipe! Enjoy!!!

3 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup unpopped popcorn**
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt


In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and saute 1 minute, stirring, then remove saucepan from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Be sure not to let the garlic burn.

Warm vegetable oil in a large, deep pot with a tight-fitting lid over high heat. When oil is hot, add unpopped popcorn, cover pot, and cook 1 minute. Vigorously slide pot back and forth over the stove until popcorn begins to pop. Continue shaking pot over the stove until popping stops, about 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat and transfer popcorn to large serving bowl.

Pour butter-garlic mixture over popcorn, sprinkle with Parmesan and cayenne and gently toss. Season with salt and serve.

**If you are gun-shy about popping your own popcorn on the stove, you can use microwave popcorn. Follow package directions and pour butter and seasonings over the popcorn while hot.