Sunday, January 18, 2015

Look what's poppin'!

Cuddle with Pooh! Triple Celebration

National Popcorn Day (A Celebration of Popcorn) is celebrated at the end of January, although its exact date is a matter of debate. Various sources report it as January 19; others claim it takes place on whatever day the Super Bowl falls. The connection the Super Bowl seems natural enough. Millions of viewers curl up in front of the TV with their favorite beverage (Americans love beer!) and bowl upon bowl full of popcorn. After all, it is a gr-r-r-r-r-reat snack any way you like it...seasoned, unseasoned, spicy, plain, caramelized, cheesed, sprinkled, chocolated, baconed...oh! my! The list could go on and on and on and on...

We all know it is not necessary to wait until the Super Bowl for a BIG bowl of the corn that bursts! Before examining some of the different types and ways of serving this popped treat, here is a tidbit of trivia...

http://research.archives.gov/description/558136

This 50-year old popcorn stand is a fixture in the community of New Ulm, MN. Each spring and summer it is located on Center Street. The town was founded in 1854 by a group of German immigrants. It is still predominately a farming community although it owes its growth since 1950 to manufacturing companies. In the 1960s the business district had vacant stores and needed refurbishing. With community effort, the business district was revitalized and stores reopened, 07/1974.

Americans consume 17 billion quarts of popcorn each year so start poppin' & experimentin'!

Bacon Bourbon Salted Caramel Popcorn (Recipe)

http://www.thedailymeal.com/garlic-and-parmesan-popcorn

Garlic & Parmesan Popcorn (Recipe)

http://kokocooks.com/2013/05/three-cheese-popcorn/

Three Cheese Popcorn (Recipe)

http://www.rachelcooks.com/2011/07/12/rum-spiked-caramel-corn/

Rum "Spiked" Caramel Corn (Recipe)

For something a little different than simply eating the popcorn from a bowl...

http://jonschelanderpugh.com/recipe-box-wisconsin-beer-cheese-soup/

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup topped with Popcorn (Recipe)

Tip of the Day: Don't buy those quickie pop-'n-the-bag popcorn brands that half the time turn out to pop stale popcorn. Buy popcorn kernels, lightly spray with Pam cooking oil or lightly coat with melted butter, and toss a handful into a brown paper bag. Fold the open end of the bag so it’s shut, and microwave like a normal bag of popcorn until the popping slows down to about every three seconds.

How do you like your popcorn? Sweet? Savory? Sweet & savory? With Butter? Salt? Plain?
What is your fancy?