Special Edition: Popcorn

Popcorn is a necessity in our house.

We always have a container full of it.

Why do we like it so much?

It’s healthier than chips, cheaper, and it stays in the cabinet longer.

Unfortunately, there is only one way that we use the popcorn.

By popping it, then eating it.

I keep thinking that we are so uncreative because we have this versatile food and we only make it one way. But that is going to change.

I found different ways to use (and eat) popcorn and I am so excited to get started…

Of course you cannot go without popcorn balls! I probably have eaten these once in my life, but from what I remember…they were amazingly tasty.

You’re going to need…

-1 tablespoon vegetable oil                                                                                                            —-1/2 cup unpopped popcorn                                                                                                              –6 tablespoons butter                                                                                                                            -5 cups miniature marshmallows

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

2. Add vegetable oil to a 4 quart saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add popping corn. Keep pan moving constantly. When corn stops popping, remove from heat. Put popcorn in prepared pan.

3. Melt butter In a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix with spoon to coat evenly.

4. Let mixture cool slightly. Smear butter on your hands or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Mix popcorn with your hands so that it is evenly coated.

5. Form popcorn into 8 balls.

See? Yummy treat that deserves a tray at your next holiday party.

As for decorations?

Take a glass ball decoration that hangs on a christmas tree and remove the gold or silver cap (which is on top of the ball).

Put about 10-20 kernels in the ball. The kernels must be microwaveable.

Place the ball in a paper bag and put in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Make sure the cap it still off!

When you hear no popping, use an oven mitt to take out and let cool.

When cool, add glitter or anything else you think would look good in or on the ornament.

Place cap back on and put on christmas tree (or use as a gift).

Add color to it to make it pop!

Who would have thought? I think that looks pretty good, however it does seem a little dangerous. Popping popcorn in a glass ball in a microwave.

I guess if you wanted to go traditional this year, you could string popcorn onto your tree…but I like the glass popcorn ball idea better. Makes for a better story, for example…

“Hey is this popcorn in a ball?” asks your guest.

“Yup. I made it myself.” you answer.

“Really? How?” asks your guest…and you tell them.

or (if you stuck with the string popcorn)…

“Nice tree.” says your guest

“Thanks.” you reply.

See? If you have a christmas dinner/party, the popcorn balls make for better conversation.

~~~~~Now there are popcorn games that I could explain in great detail but I would not set a good example for my siblings after my mom stresses the phrase “Don’t play with your food.” If you really want to know…google search it.

I did find recipes for banana nut popcorn, key lime pie popcorn, cinnamon popcorn, etc. Weird.

I would give the recipes out, but you need so many different machines and even buy some flavored powder stuff. Not healthy and in my definition, not homemade.

Do you have any ideas for popcorn crafts or food?