Corny about popcorn?

POPCORN RECIPES

If you love to eat popcorn (who doesn’t?), you will love to make these different recipes A tub full of popcorn is all one needs, to relax in front of the television or in the theaters.  Popcorn is a nutritious snack choice, containing more fibre than snacks made with refined flour. It is high in carbohydrates and has more protein and iron than potato chips, ice-cream cones and crackers according to the Popcorn Institute.

Children under the age of 4 or 5 are usually not given popcorn to eat because of choking hazard risks it involves. Older children should not run and jump while they’re eating popcorn, as they also could be in danger of choking. Microwave popcorn is convenient but usually high in fat compared to oil- popped corn. The healthiest way to make popcorn is to air-pop it (in the snack maker machine).

Approximately 2 Tbsp oil is required to pop -120 grams (1/2 cup) popcorn maize (dried corn kernels) and salt to taste. Makes about 4 cups of popcorn (that is popped corn)
Method to make popcorn in a pressure cooker (without gasket) or in a deep vessel
Mix the popcorn maize with oil and keep aside. Then heat the pressure cooker or the vessel for 2 minutes on medium flame, add the popcorn maize with oil and salt. Mix well. Cover with a tight lid and cook on a medium flame, and shake the cooker, once the popping of popcorn begins. Remove from heat after 2 or 3 minutes or when the popping sounds stop coming. Open and serve immediately.

(Remember to be careful while using the gas, or better take some help from someone elder.)

However, there are innovative ways to transform plain boring popcorn into tasty variations of it. You can have fun while making them and relish their taste too. So, here are some wonderful flavoured popcorn recipes which will make you a real hit with your family and friends. Do try out all the flavours or toppings and choose your favourite one …

Savoury flavours

Follow the same method to make the popcorn and just keep changing the toppings for each flavour.

1.Peppery popcorn                                                  
Ingredients: 4 cups popcorn; 2 tsp pepper  
Method: To the freshly popped corn add pepper powder and toss well. Serve immediately.

2.Pizza Flavored Popcorn
Ingredients: 2tbsp grated cheese; 1 tsp    garlic crushed; 1 tsp oregano; 2 tsp pepper; 1 tsp red chili flakes; 1 tsp basil optional (dried tulsi); Salt to taste; 2 cups freshly made hot popcorn. Method: In a blender, blend cheese, garlic, oregano, pepper, chili flakes and salt. Place popcorn in large bowl, sprinkle with the cheese mixture. Toss to coat evenly.

3.Cheesy Garlic Popcorn
Ingredients: 3 cups hot popcorn –  unsalted; 3 tbsp butter; 1 tsp chili flakes; 2 tbsp  cheese; ¼ tsp garlic paste; salt to taste
Method: In a pan melt butter, add garlic, chili flakes and salt. Remove from fire and add cheese to the mixture. Immediately toss with popcorn. Serve hot.

Tip:- Preferably use cooking cheese or cheese powder.

4.  Tomato Cheese Popcorn
 Ingredients: ¼ cup butter; 1 tsp chili flakes; 2 tbsp grated cheese; 3 tbsp tomato powder (available in large stores);  6 cups hot popcorn                                                                                                                                    
Method: In a heavy bottom sauce pan, melt butter and add chili flakes, tomato powder and mix well. Remove from the fire; mix in cheese and then the popped corn. Toss well and serve hot.

Simpler Microwave Method (to make the flavour): In a microwave bowl put butter and microwave it for 10 seconds, remove the bowl and then add chill flakes, tomato powder and mix well. Again microwave it for another 10 seconds. Remove the bowl and finally mix in cheese and then the popped corn. Toss well and serve hot.

Note: - Cheesy garlic popcorn can also be made in the simpler microwave method. Just by substituting the ingredients as required
 
Sweet flavours

Follow the same method to make the popcorn but without the salt to get the perfect sweet taste.

5. Sugar and Spice Popcorn
Ingredients: 5 cups popcorn (unsalted); 2 tbsp sugar; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon ; 1/4 tsp  ground nutmeg ; 1/3 cup  butter                                                                                                                                                                       Method: In a big pan, melt butter and add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Mix well with popped corn and toss until well coated. Serve when it cools down.

6.  Caramel Corn  
Ingredients: 6 cups popcorn (unsalted); 1 cup brown sugar;  4 tbsp butter;  3 tbsp honey; a few drops of vanilla essence
Method: In a pan melt butter, add sugar and honey. Remove from the fire and add vanilla essence.  Toss the mixture with the popcorn till it is coated. Cool, separate and then serve.
Tip: - Drinking chocolate powder can be add to the caramel corn to make it chocolate flavoured popcorn

7. Bournvita/Strawberry Flavoured Popcorn
Ingredients: 3 cups popcorn (unsalted); 1 cup grated jaggery; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp bournvita (or 2 tbsp strawberry syrup and pink colour)                                                                                                                               Method: In a pan on low flame melt butter and add jaggery.
When it has melted add bournvita and stir well. When it has melted add honey and stir well.
Remove from flame. Toss in the popcorn. Mix till the popcorn is well coated. Cool, separate and then serve.

(For STRAWBERRY FLAVOURED POPCORN- Omit bournvita and honey and then add strawberry syrup and pink colour)