After enjoying extra cookies and huge meals during the holiday season, it’s time to get back to some sense of normality and routine.
Popcorn is a great, gluten-free snack that can be enjoyed any time. Three cups of popcorn equals a whole grain serving.
National Popcorn Day is Jan. 19, so let’s celebrate with a few recipes such as fragrant and flavorful Jamaican Jerk Popcorn, which features hot pepper, spices and jerk butter to help you warm up from the inside out. Or consider Furikake Popcorn, a lighter recipe exploding with the flavors of sesame, nori and a Japanese spice blend. When you can’t decide, throw Everything Bagel spices onto popcorn and enjoy the savory deliciousness of sesame and poppy seeds, dried onion and garlic.
JAMAICAN JERK POPCORN
Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. grated lime zest
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. salt
8 cups popped popcorn
Directions
■ In a small saucepan, combine butter, chili pepper, chili powder, lime zest, pepper, thyme, allspice, ginger, garlic powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, onion powder and salt. Cook over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until butter melts and mixture is fragrant.
■ Place popcorn in a large bowl; toss immediately with spice mixture until evenly coated.
FURIKAKE POPCORN
Yield: Serves 2-3
Ingredients
1 nori sheet, broken into pieces
1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
6 cups popped popcorn
Directions
■ In a spice grinder, or using mortar and pestle, grind nori with half of the sesame seeds until finely ground. Transfer mixture to a small bowl. Stir in remaining sesame seeds, salt and sugar.
■ Place popcorn in a large bowl; toss with butter and furikake seasoning until evenly coated.
EVERYTHING BAGEL POPCORN
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
8 cups popped popcorn
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
2 Tbsp. black sesame seeds
1 tsp. garlic flakes
1 tsp. onion flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Directions
■ Place popcorn in a large bowl.
■ In a small bowl, mix together seeds and seasonings.
■ Drizzle popcorn with melted butter and sprinkle on seasoning mix. Toss until well-coated. Store any leftover seasoning in an airtight container.
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