MISSION, Kan., July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features)
Make your next friendly gathering a popping success with desserts
and snacks made from a wholesome simple grain. Not only does
popcorn bring out the kid in everyone, it's a naturally healthy
treat you can feel good about serving your guests. And, because
it's naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO and gluten free,
you can rest assured that party-goers will keep popping back by for
one more guilt-free bite.
Photo -
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What's more, freshly popped corn makes it easy to tickle all
your guests' taste bud cravings. Salty, spicy, sweet — the options
are nearly endless. Serve it up with flavors already mixed in, or
let guests mix and match their own favorite toppings to create
unique tastes of popcorn perfection.
These recipes make it easy to prepare crowd-pleasers for all
ages ahead of time so you can focus on the fun. Find more festive
popcorn recipes to help plan your next party at
www.popcorn.org.
Sea Salt Caramel
Popcorn
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Yield: 3
quarts
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
quarts popped
popcorn
|
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1 1/2
|
cups pecan
halves
|
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1/2
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cup
almonds
|
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1 1/3
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cups granulated
sugar
|
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1
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cup (2 sticks) butter
or margarine
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1/2
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cup light corn
syrup
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1
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teaspoon
vanilla
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1
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teaspoon coarse sea
salt
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Line large, rimmed 17-by-12-inch baking pan with foil and spray
lightly with cooking spray; set aside.
Spray large glass or metal bowl with cooking spray and place
popcorn and nuts inside.
In medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, butter and corn
syrup. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Clip on
candy thermometer and boil, stirring occasionally, until
temperature reaches 290°F (about 15 minutes). Remove candy
thermometer and stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over popcorn and stir
to coat well.
Spread popcorn mixture in even layer on prepared baking pan.
Sprinkle with sea salt and allow to cool completely before breaking
into pieces to serve.
Store in an airtight container.
Marmalade Popcorn
Balls
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Yield: 15
balls
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|
|
|
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1 1/2
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cups sugar
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1 1/4
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cups water
|
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1
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cup orange
marmalade
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1/2
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teaspoon
salt
|
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1/2
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cup light corn
syrup
|
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1
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teaspoon
vinegar
|
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5
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quarts popped
popcorn
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In saucepan combine sugar, water, marmalade, salt, light corn
syrup and vinegar. Bring to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Cook to hard-ball stage (250°F).
Pour slowly over popped popcorn and mix thoroughly. Butter hands
and shape into 2 1/2-inch balls.
Nutty 'n' Natural
Popcorn
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Yield: 3
quarts
|
|
|
|
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2
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tablespoons sunflower
seed kernels, finely ground
|
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2
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tablespoons almonds,
finely ground
|
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2
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tablespoons walnuts
or hazelnuts, finely ground
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4-6
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tablespoons melted
margarine or butter
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2 1/2
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quarts popped
popcorn
|
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2
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tablespoons wheat
germ
|
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1
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6-ounce package (1
2/3 cups) chopped dried fruits and raisins
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Pour melted margarine over popcorn. Sprinkle with ground nuts
and wheat germ; toss to mix. Stir in dried fruits.
From Seed to Snack
Popcorn, like all six types of corn, is a cereal grain. It
resembles corn on the cob in appearance and cultivation, but only
pop-corn kernels have the ability to pop. Most of the world's
popcorn is grown in the central United
States.
Popcorn is usually harvested with a combine, which strips the
ear from the stalk and shells the kernels from the cob. The kernels
are then loaded into a truck and transported to a storage bin for
drying. Then, after cleaning and sorting, kernels are packaged for
distribution, allowing Americans to consume more than 16 billion
quarts of popped popcorn each year.
A DIY Dessert that Pops
A popcorn bar is a fun and easy way to have guests take an
active role in the party. Provide a wide range of toppings and
watch them get creative dreaming up delicious flavor combinations.
You can even host a taste test and award prizes to the tastiest
concoctions.
Simply set out a large bowl of popcorn and surround it with
smaller bowls with various popcorn fixings. Let each person fill a
paper bag or other container with popcorn and top or mix with their
desired flavorings.
Topping ideas:
- Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots)
- Dried herbs and spices (oregano, cinnamon, nutmeg)
- Nuts (pine nuts, peanuts, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds)
- Small candies (chocolate pieces, peanut butter chips,
marshmallows)
Vickie Rocco
vrocco@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
http://editors.familyfeatures.com
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