Pass the Popcorn, Please!

Many people resort to microwave popcorn when they need a quick snack, but few realize they can turn this crunchy craving into a decadent and delicious snack requiring few ingredients and innovative recipes.  With the simple tricks and suggestions provided below, this movie buff can help you transform yummy basic munchies into a hot and spicy, cheesy and homey, sweet and chocolaty, or all-together more satisfying treats. Avoid popping it from buttery to burnt before playing with these ingredients and you’ll never view popcorn the same again!

1. Nuts for Popcorn:  

This popcorn gives a nice nutty kick to bland   kernels.  It’s good for fans in love with trail mix but weary of branching far from butter bases.  It combines the more expensive ingredients of:

·      10 cups popped popcorn,

·      1 cup pecan halves,

·      1 cup slivered almonds,

·      1 1/3 cups sugar,

·      1 cup butter (no substitutes),

·      1/2 cup light corn syrup,

·      1 teaspoon vanilla extract,

·      1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

·      1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Yet, despite its pricey additions, it’s easy to make requiring the minimal steps below:

·      In a large bowl, combine popcorn and nuts; set aside.

·      In a large saucepan, bring sugar, butter and corn syrup to a boil.

·      Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

·      Remove from the heat; add vanilla, cream of tartar and baking soda.

·      Drizzle over popcorn mixture; stir to coat.

·      Immediately spread onto two greased baking sheets; let dry for about 1 hour.

·      Store in an airtight container.

2. Lemon Cloud Popcorn: 

Lemon anything craftily cleanses the pallet after every meal.  This popcorn satisfies an appetitive still needing a little “something, something” but not wanting a dessert that pushes them into the bloated zone.  It combines very inexpensive ingredients of: 

 

·      4-1/2 quarts popped popcorn

·      2 cups sugar

·      1/2 cup light corn syrup

·      1/2 cup water

·      1 tablespoon lemon extract

·      1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·      1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Follow these simple steps and turn the list into a luscious lemon luxury:

·      Place popcorn in two greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pans. Keep warm in a 225° oven.

·      Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water; bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally until mixture reaches 290° on a candy thermometer (soft-crack stage). Remove from the heat; quickly stir in extract and baking soda. Pour over warm popcorn. Sprinkle with lemon peel; stir until well coated. Store in an airtight container.

3.  Taco-Nacho Mind Tease Popcorn (An Abby Original ;-D): 

This popcorn is for the most daring of combination junkies.  I often throw together these ingredients in a massive bowl to enjoy while watching a Raymond and/or Friends episode or movie during my unwind time.  It tosses together:

·      Microwave Popcorn Bag

 ·      ¼ cup combination of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese

·      ¼ cup spinach

·      2 hot sauce packets (Mild and preferably---but obviously not necessarily---from Taco Bell)

·      1 ½ tablespoons ketchup

·      Butter-spray or melted (your preference)

I know it sounds disgusting, but I promise it’s ridiculously tasty.  It’s also great to take Cheddar Special K chips or Tortilla chips and scoop the popcorn into it.  This turns the snack into a kind of random nacho dish.  Follow the directions below and exceed ordinary popcorn expectations:

·      Pop the microwave bag for 3:20 seconds (depending on the strength of the microwave) to prevent burning but successfully popping every kernel. 

·      Dump the bag of popcorn in a bowl and top with spinach.

·      Microwave the popcorn and the spinach for 30 seconds, or until spinach softens (despite what you think, the popcorn does not moisten).

·      Top the spinach and popcorn combination with the hot sauce packets, cheese, and ketchup.

·      Cut the spinach and mix/toss the added ingredients.

·      Scoop popcorn with chips, or simply dig in and enjoy!

4.   Cranberry Popcorn Deluxe:

A popcorn designed for the festive occasion, or for a person desiring something sweet and healthier.  This formation takes as little as 15 minutes after mixing and cooling:

·      8 cups air-popped popcorn

·      3/4 cup dried cranberries

·      1/4 cup slivered almonds

·      1/4 cup pecan halves

·      1/4 cup honey

·      3 tablespoons butter

·      2 tablespoons maple syrup

·      1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Simply follow the directions below to create a great hand grab for any guest needing something light and tasty before dinner. 

·      In a shallow roasting pan, combine the popcorn, cranberries, almonds and pecans.

·      In a small saucepan, combine the honey, butter and syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. Drizzle over popcorn mixture and toss to coat.

·      Bake at 325° for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container.

5.  Tex-Mex Popcorn:

Perfectly placing flavors between the riskiness of Ranch Popcorn and the classic of Cajun Popcorn, this recipe blends popcorn with fresh seasonings like cilantro and spicy savorings like chili powder, garlic powder and paprika.  

Overall, it’s a non-regrettable flavor packed indulgence combining the ingredients of:

·      1/2 cup popcorn kernels

·      3 tablespoons canola oil

·      1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

·      Refrigerated butter-flavored spray

·      1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro

·      1 teaspoon salt

·      1 teaspoon chili powder

·      1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

·      1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

Take 15 minutes to follow these directions, and you’ll boost your movie experience tenfold!

·      In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the popcorn kernels, oil and cumin seeds until oil begins to sizzle. Cover and shake for 2-3 minutes or until popcorn stops popping.

·      Transfer to a large bowl; spray with butter-flavored spray. Add remaining ingredients and toss to coat. Continue spraying and tossing until popcorn is coated.

 

6. Peanut Butter Maple Popcorn

People assume they’d prefer a PBJ sandwich to peanut butter and popcorn, so they severely miss out on a superior snack.  Though it takes longer (one hour) to complete, it generates an un-regrettable undertaking.  It combines:

·      1 cup sugar

·      3/4 cup syrup

·      1 cup Skippy PB

·      1 tsp. vanilla extract

·      1 (3.5 oz.) pkg. natural or light (not buttered) microwave popcorn, popped (10 cups)

·      2 cups dry roasted peanuts

Dare to delight yourself with something different and follow these steps for peanut butter popcorn perfection:

·      Heat oven to 250°F.

·      Combine sugar and syrup in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat. Blend in peanut butter and vanilla.

·      Place popped popcorn and peanuts in a large bowl. Pour peanut butter mixture over popcorn, stirring until coated.

·      Place popcorn in a single layer on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cool

So there you have it, Ladies and Gents’.  Money or a lot of ingredients isn’t always necessary to make the perfect bedtime, movie, study or whenever snack; all you need to do is pick one of these, pop it up, and enjoy!