"...PEOPLE ARE LIKE POPCORN..."

We've given this hand-lettered poem as a fun neighborhood gift, a gift from and to the PTA, church or civic groups, etc. over the years.  We've given it in a number of ways:  Given in decorative cellophane bags tied up with pretty ribbon with an unpopped individual pkg or box of gourmet popcorn, popped bags of caramel corn, white chocolate popcorn, cheese popcorn, Mother Goose popped corn (jello flavored--lime, raspberry, and cherry are especially good for Christmas), or one time we gave black peppered popcorn with a little recipe book of 8 or 9 of our favorite popcorn recipes.  It's an easy and quick way to remember those you want to remember for the Holidays.

CHOCOLATE POPCORN  (White chocolate a favorite!)

1 16-oz. bag chocolate melts (chocolate or white)

5 Qts. AIR POPPED popcorn

1 tsp. oil flavoring, for white chocolate, if desired

Put popcorn in ovenproof  bowl or pan and place in a 250 degree oven to keep warm.  Place chocolate discs in a glass bowl and microwave for 1 minute.  Stir thoroughly.  If not melted, microwave at 10-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.  CAUTION:  DO NOT OVERHEAT!  If using white chocolate discs, add the oil flavoring if you want a particular flavor. (If you desire color, use OIL-BASED FOOD COLORING to get the shade you want).  Pour chocolate over popcorn, and lightly, but thoroughly, stir to coat all the popcorn without breaking.  Spread popcorn out on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet in a cool place until chocolate is set. 

CINNAMON POPCORN

1 C popcorn, popped

Melt together in saucepan until sugar is dissolved:

6 Tablespoons butter

1/2 Cup sugar

2 Tablespoons water

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pour over popcorn and bake in 300 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN  (Very tasty!)

Pop 1 bag of microwave popcorn or about 2-3 quarts of popcorn, pour into a bowl and remove any "old maids." 

Combine in a saucepan and bring to a boil:

1/2 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup corn syrup

Remove from heat and add:

1/2 Cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour over popcorn and stir well to coat all popped kernels.

POPPYCOCK POPCORN  (DELICIOUS!)

Combine in saucepan and cook until just past the soft ball stage:

1 1/3 Cups sugar

1/2 Cup light corn syrup

1 Cup butter

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Remove from heat and add:

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour over:

16 Cups popped popcorn

1 Cup pecans

1 Cup roasted, salted almonds

MOTHER GOOSE POPCORN  (JELLO POPCORN) BALLS (Kids love these!)
Heat together until in BEGINS to boil:

1 Cup sugar

1 Cup corn sugar

1 small pkg. JELL-O (any flavor)

Pour over 1 Cup popped corn.  Stir well and shape into popcorn balls.

NOTE:  Coordinate your jello flavor for different Holidays, then add:  Christmas: red and green jelly beans; Thanksgiving: add candy corn; Halloween: add orange and black jellybeans; Easter: use pastel color jello's and pastel jellybeans.  SMALL JELLY BEANS WORK THE BEST

PARMESAN POPCORN

2 Qts. popped popcorn

1/4 Cup butter

1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

Measure the popped corn into large pan.  Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat.  Pour over popcorn.  Mix well.  Add cheese and salt and mix well again.

CHEESE POPCORN

1/2 C melted butter

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

4 Qts. popped popcorn

salt to taste

Place popcorn into large over-proof bowl.  Sprinkle all other ingredients on top of popcorn.  Heat in a 325 degree oven until the cheese is melted.  Stir carefully again.

CINNAMON POPCORN II

1/3 Cup melted butter

4 Qts. popped popcorn

1/4 Cup sugar, mixed with 2 Tsp cinnamon

Drizzle butter over popped popcorn.  Toss to coat.  Sprinkle sugar mixture over.  Toss to mix evenly.  Spread on a cookie sheet.  Bake in a 350 degree oven, stirring twice in 3 to 5 minutes.  Cool thoroughly.  VARIATIONS:  FRUIT-FLAVORED POPCORN:  Toss the buttered popped corn with a small pkg Jello or 1/4 Cup Cherry or fruit-flavored powdered sugar-free soft drink mix.  Proceed as above.

HONEY POPCORN

Pop as much popcorn as you like.  Combine equal amounts of BUTTER and HONEY in small saucepan.  Heat until butter is melted.  Pour over popped corn and stir well.

MY VERY FAVORITE CARMEL CORN:  (See my post of June 19, 2010 for this yummy recipe - my very favorite of all!)