Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Popcorn Frenzy!

{This post is prior to my gluten-free days. Please use caution when following this recipe if you must eat gluten-free. Always check individual ingredients to ensure they're gluten-free before consuming.} 


Confession: I LOVE popcorn. 

All kinds: Salty. Sweet. Savory. Delicious. 

I have always loved popcorn. Well, since early college days... It was a super easy snack while studying or late at night when boredom would set in.

That was the bagged stuff.

NOW, we have an air popper, which is the best thing since sliced bread.

It's like popcorn on demand. 



We tried an oil-based popper. It was horrible. Terrible. It tasted like rubber. 

Speaking of rubber, don't buy any type of kernels besides Orville Redenbacher. Store brand and Pop Secret are both less superior to Orville's deliciousness. You wouldn't think you can tell a difference with popcorn, but you really can. And we actually prefer the white corn to the yellow corn. 

So here's a few topping ideas to try once you go buy your air-popper, which of course, is the best ~$20 you'll spend this week. Follow the directions that come with your popper first, then try these delicious toppings. 



Buffalo Popcorn (Kyle's favorite): 
1) Put your freshly popped popcorn in a big bowl.
2) In a small bowl, combine a couple of TBSP of melted butter (more butter = less spicy) with 1-2 TBSP of buffalo sauce.
3) Pour mixture over popcorn. Stir until well coated.

Now you can do 2 possible things here:
"Wet Buffalo"
4) Top with shredded cheese and eat.
OR 
"Dry Buffalo"
4) Spread popcorn on a foil-covered cookie sheet. Place in 350 degree preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. Once out of oven, top with shredded cheese.


Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn:
1) Place freshly popped popcorn in a big bowl.
2) In a small sauce pan, combine 1 TBSP ground cinnamon, 1 TBSP vanilla extract, 4-5 TBSP butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar until melted and bubbly.
3) Pour over popcorn and stir until well combined.
4) Place popcorn on foil-covered cookie sheet and place in 350 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes.
5) Let popcorn sit in oven for 15 minutes.
6) Enjoy!

Movie Theater Popcorn:
1) Place freshly popped popcorn in bowl.
2) Pour 4-5 TBSP melted butter. Toss to coat.
3) Sprinkle a little salt over the top.
4) Enjoy!


And lastly, my personal favorite,
Parmesan Popcorn (or as Kyle calls it 'Boring popcorn'):
1) Place freshly popped popcorn in a bowl.
2) Pour 1-2 TBSP melted butter over popcorn. Toss to coat.
3) Sprinkle a little salt on top. Toss to coat.
4) Sprinkle 3 TBSP of parmesan over popcorn. Toss to coat.
5) Enjoy!

That's all folks.

What's your favorite kind of popcorn?

~Kelli