Post date: Oct 18, 2013 5:58:38 PM
Flavored Popcorn Recipes and Ideas
Spicy Popcorn
Here are flavoring ideas for embellishing freshly made popcorn. These recipes make enough to flavor a 10-cup batch (from about 1/2 cup kernels). If you air-pop or use fat-free microwave popcorn, you might like to drizzle 2 tablespoons or so of melted Earth Balance or coconut oil into the popcorn just before adding the seasonings.
Savory Flavorings
Add salt to these mixes, or not, as preferred, and increase or decrease the amount of seasonings suggested here to your taste.
Chili-Spiced Popcorn: Combine 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. Sprinkle over hot popcorn and toss well.
Pizza-Flavored Popcorn: Combine 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons tomato powder, and 1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes.
Herb and Spice Popcorn: Simply sprinkle hot popcorn with a teaspoon or two of your favorite seasoning blend, like Mrs. Dash or Spike.
Sweet Seasonings
Pumpkin Pie Popcorn: Melt 2 tablespoons Earth Balance or organic virgin coconut oil in a small saucepan. Stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and 3 tablespoons agave nectar or maple syrup. Drizzle evenly over hot popcorn.
Caramel or Peanut-Caramel Popcorn: For a Cracker Jack-type mix, melt 2 to 3 tablespoons Earth Balance or organic virgin coconut oil in a small saucepan. Stir in 3 tablespoons natural granulated sugar and stir until melted. Stir 1 cup peanuts into the popcorn. Drizzle the mixture from the saucepan over the popcorn and peanuts and toss well. Let cool completely before serving.
Almond-Maple Popcorn: Melt 2 tablespoons Earth Balance or organic virgin coconut oil in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons maple syrup. Stir 1 cup toasted almonds into the popcorn. Drizzle the mixture from the saucepan over the popcorn and almonds and toss well. Let cool completely before serving.
Popcorn Mixes
Combine your freshly popped corn with nuts, dried fruits, tiny pretzels, and whatever seasonings you fancy at the moment, and don’t shy away from combining sweet and salty flavors.
Popcorn Balls
8 cups popped corn
3/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn (Karo) syrup
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. white vinegar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
Measure popcorn in large bowl. Combine sugars, syrup, vinegar and salt in 2 quart saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Cook, stirring constantly, to 260 degrees or to the hard ball stage.
Reduce heat to low, stir in the butter until melted. Pour syrup in thin stream over the corn, stirring until the corn is well coated. Cool slightly. Butter hands and shape into 3 inch balls and place on waxed paper.
Makes 16 balls.