Today, 19 January, is National Popcorn Day and it would be remiss of us not to share some cool popcorn recipes for you to try.
But first the facts. Did you know that the corn we eat and the corn we pop are two different varieties of maize? Zea mays everta is the only variety of corn that is able to become popcorn.
The oldest piece of popcorn was discovered in west-central New Mexico, in America, and is said to be around 5 600 years old. According to researchers, Aztecs not only used popcorn for nourishment but also to decorate their clothes and create ceremonial embellishments.
Fast forward to 2021 and popcorn is still the snack of choice for moviegoers everywhere. Besides being one of the most popular snack foods on the planet, popcorn is a whole grain food, meaning it’s naturally high in fibre and several other important nutrients.
Do you like your popcorn plain, lightly salted, or with a little pizazz? Here are three recipes we think are definitely worth trying this National Popcorn Day.
Kahlua Popcorn – Recipe Tomo TheCat of Food.com
Ingredients
2 quarts air popped popcorn
1 cup white sugar
1⁄2 cup Kahlua
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3⁄4 cup roasted almonds
Method
Keep the popcorn in a shallow pan in the oven to keep warm.
Stir sugar, Kahlua, and vinegar in a pan on stove. Bring to a boil. Add butter. Bring to hard crack stage (300 degrees on a candy thermometer).
Pour over warm popcorn and nuts, stirring to coat.
Let it cool and enjoy.
Ready in 1hr 15 mins. Serves 8
Frito Pie Popcorn – Recipe by Food Network
Ingredients
12 cups hot popcorn,
6 tablespoons melted butter
4 cups Fritos (or other corn chips)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 cups shredded cheddar
2 chopped chives or spring onion
Method
Toss popcorn, melted butter, Fritos (or other corn chips) and chili powder together.
Spread on baking sheets and top with shredded cheddar and chopped scallions.
Bake at 180C until the cheese melts , or approximately 3 minutes. Season with salt and enjoy.
Popcorn Cookies – Recipe by TasteofHome.com
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Dash salt
2 cups popped popcorn, lightly crushed
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in popcorn, chocolate chips and pecans.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Leave space between each drop. Bake until golden brown, 13-14 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Ready in 30 minutes. Makes about 2-1/2 dozen
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