Tag Archives: popcorn
Stovetop Popcorn!
Taking this from Elisabeth Karmel’s article in the Des Moines Register, there are lots of easy, great ideas to dress up your popcorn! [Of course we're adapting the recipe to showcase the products we offer!]
Servings: 1/2 Cup unpopped kernels will produce about 12 Cups of popcorn
INGREDIENTS:
2 – 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 – 1/2 Cup popcorn kernels
Dry toppings such as:
Truffle Salt
Mesquite BBQ Rub
Maple Sugar Powder
STEPS
Heat an empty cast-iron Dutch oven over low heat for 2 minutes. Add enough olive oil to the pot to thinly coat the entire bottom. Add a single layer of popcorn kernels. You want the kernels to be touching, but not more than one layer thick. Increase the heat under the pan to medium, and place the lid on the pot. Wait until popping begins, then turn the heat down slightly.
Shake the pot every 30 seconds or so. Start shaking a bit more frequently/ vigorously once the popping starts to subside. When the kernels stop popping in unison and you only hear one kernel pop every couple of seconds, it is done.
Pour the popped popcorn into a large bowl. Season generously with your choice of topping, and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with additional seasoning several times to make sure you have an even coating. Serve warm, or at room temperature.
October Holidays – Food and Otherwise
The days are getting shorter, and the weather is finally getting cooler. It’s a perfect time for outdoor fitness (it’s not so sweaty!), and for coming home to something delicious that has cooked in a Crock-Pot all day.
There’s a lot to be excited about, beyond being able to comfortably wear long pants and sweaters again. Older kids are excited for Homecoming, and the younger ones (and a lot of the older ones: see SpiceGirl Eva, right) are plotting their Halloween costumes.
Grown-ups have their own entertainments to look forward to, too, with Oktoberfest parties, football games, and televised Presidential debates. You know, if that is the kind of “entertainment” that floats your boat. If there are good snacks are being served, count on us being there, too.
October is a monthlong celebration of many favorite foods or food genres, including:
National Apple Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Cookie Month and
National Dessert Month
National Pasta Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Festival Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month (just in time for unveiling our new popcorn seasoning set!)
National Pork Month
National Seafood Month
Vegetarian Awareness Month (“Oh, hey there, vegetarians. There you are. I see you.”)
In those rare moments when you’re not eating, in October we *also* observe both Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Month; it’s National Diabetes Month, Clergy Appreciation Month, Computer Learning Month and (wait for it –) Sarcastic Month (oh, joy! – and I’m not being sarcastic about that remark!).
But, back to food, October also has several week-long celebrations of wild and delicious abandon:
National Chili Week (1st Week)
American Beer Week (2nd Week)
October 1: World Vegetarian Day
October 1: Pudding Season Begins (I was not aware Pudding Season ever ended…?)
October 1: Homemade Cookies Day
October 2: National Fried Scallops Day
October 4: National Taco Day
October 4: National Vodka Day
October 6: National Noodle Day
October 7: National Frappe Day
October 8: National Fluffernutter Day
October 8: National Pierogi Day
October 9: Moldy Cheese Day (I hope they mean bleu cheese, and not any old moldy fromage, ew)
October 9: Submarine-Hoagy-Hero-Grinder Day
October 10: National Angel Food Cake Day
October 11: National Dessert Day, and National Sausage Pizza Day (maybe the Best Day Ever?)
October 12: National Gumbo Day
October 13: National Yorkshire Pudding Day
October 14: National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day
October 15: National Chicken Cacciatore Day
October 15: National Roast Pheasant Day
October 16: World Food Day (and Des Moines’ own World Food Prize events, Oct 17 – 19)
October 16: National Liqueur Day
October 17: National Pasta Day
October 17: Four Prunes Day (Say what?)
October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 19: National Seafood Bisque Day
October 20: National Brandied Fruit Day
October 21: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 21: Caramel Apple Day
October 22: National Nut Day (Celebrate with our new Spiced Nuts kit!)
October 23: National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 23: National Canning Day
October 24: National Bologna Day
October 24: Good and Plenty Day
October 25: National Greasy Foods Day
October 26: Pumpkin Day
October 26: Pretzel Day
October 26: Mince Meat Pie Day
October 27: National Potato Day and American Beer Day (Close runner-up to the Best Day Ever.)
October 28: National Chocolate Day (Celebrate with some of our Cacao Nibs, perhaps?)
October 28: Wild Foods Day
October 29: National Oatmeal Day
October 30: National Candy Corn Day
October 30: Buy a Doughnut Day
October 31: National Candy Apple Day
October 31: Trick or Treat for UNICEF Day
What’s your favorite thing about October? What’s your favorite food for Fall?
The Magic and Science of Popcorn
Popcorn is like magic. Pour a quarter-cup of hard, inedible grains into a pan of sizzling hot oil, and snacks magically appear.
How does this magic work? As it turns out, it’s not magic, it’s science: when a popcorn kernel heats up to a temperature of 460 – 500°F, the moisture inside the kernel expands until the hard shell cannot withstand the pressure and explodes.
I still prefer the magical explanation: Native Americans believed that little spirits lived inside the kernels, who, when their ‘homes’ were heated, were instantly disturbed and would angrily burst out of the kernels.
Whether it’s magic or science, freshly-popped popcorn is delicious. We’ve been experimenting with popcorn lately, and have come up with some flavorful popcorn seasonings that take our favorite snack and make it really special.
Whether you like to make your popcorn “old school” style on the stove, or you want to dress up the microwave variety, these popcorn seasonings are a delicious addition to your favorite snack. Just a teaspoon [adjust to your personal tastes] in a bag of freshly-popped corn will bring vibrant flavor to the whole batch.
Our current popcorn seasonings are the cheesy-licious Cheddar-Head flavor, and our exclusive Tangy Dill Herb Blend. We’re experimenting with a few more flavors, which we’ll add to our product line Summer 2012.
We suggest you pair your popcorn seasoning with a bottle of our Butter Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add a bowl (or microwave bag) of popcorn and a favorite video, and Voila! Instant movie party!
Photo credit: Popcorn, by jayneandd on flickr