Popcorn can make a great Family Fun Night delicious and nutritious. It's a whole grain, and a complex carbohydrate. Here are some tips and recipes to help you get poppin'! And while your at it make some extra to take to school for a fun fall treat to share with your class.
Basic Stovetop Popping
Use a heavy pot with a lid
Pour in enough oil (canola oil works great) to cover the bottom of the pot. It should go up the inside of the pot about 1/8".
Place one kernel in the middle of the oiled pot.
Turn stovetop element to medium heat.
Wait until you hear the kernel pop.
After the kernel pops, pour in more kernels, in one layer, to cover bottom of the pot.
Using potholders, if necessary, move the pot around on the burner or element surface.
Listen for the slowing of the popping.
Immediately pour the popcorn into a ready bowl.
Popcorn Balls
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons cold water
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup marshmallows
5 quarts popped popcorn
DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, butter, cold water, powdered sugar and marshmallows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Carefully combine the hot mixture with the popcorn until all of the popcorn is coated.
Grease hands with oil or shortening and quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls before it cools. Wrap with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Popcorn S'mores
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine 1/2 cup corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 10 cups freshly popped popcorn 1 package (10 1/2 oz.) miniature marshmallows 2 cups mini graham cookies (teddy bears) 1 cup chocolate chips
Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in medium saucepan. Cook over high heat for 5 minutes; remove from heat and stir in baking soda.
Combine popcorn and marshmallows in large bowl. Pour sugar mixture over popcorn to coat. Gently stir in graham cookies and chocolate chips. Spread mixture evenly into greased 15 x 10 inch pan. Let cool completely. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe courtesy of The Popcorn Board (popcorn.org).
