Americans eat 16 billion qts. of popcorn each year.
Buttered popcorn is a classic treat, but every once in while, you crave other flavors. Other popular types of popcorn include caramel, cheese and kettle corn, a sweet, sugary popcorn. However, even these flavors can get boring after a while. If you're looking for a snack for your next movie night that will wow your guests, get creative and make popcorn using flavors that they won't expect.
Chocolate Popcorn
This easy-to-make popcorn is ideal for chocolate lovers. First pop 8 cups of microwave or stove-top popcorn as usual and set aside. Combine 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of corn syrup, 1/4 cup butter, 2 tbsp. cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp. of salt in a large, 4-qt. pot on the stove. Bring to a boil, then add the popcorn into the mixture, stirring well to coat. Place the chocolate popcorn in a bowl to cool and serve or shape them into small balls to make popcorn balls.
Curry Popcorn
Curry popcorn is ideal if you like a bit of spice and Indian flavors. Pop 1/3 cup popcorn as you normally would, and pour into a bowl. Toast 1 tsp. of cumin seeds in a small skillet for no more than 30 seconds, then set aside. In a small pot on the stove, melt 3 tbsp. of butter on a very low heat, then add 1 tbsp. of curry powder, stirring well to eliminate any clumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then pour and remove from the heat. Pour the curry butter mixture over the popcorn, tossing to coat well. Sprinkle the toasted cumin seeds on top, then serve.
Barbecue Popcorn
Barbecue popcorn will remind you of a family backyard barbecue, but without the meat. Pop 1/3 cup of popcorn and set aside. Melt 2 tbsp. of butter on low heat and pour over the popcorn, tossing to coat. Combine 1 tsp. of paprika, 1/2 tsp. of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. onion powder and salt, to taste in a bowl. Sprinkle over the popcorn, along with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, toss well to coat and serve.
Fruity Popcorn
Enjoy colorful fruit-flavored popcorn using powdered gelatin mix. Pop 6 cups of popcorn and set aside. Combine 1/3 cup sugar, 3 oz. of gelatin powder mix of any desired fruit flavor, 2 tbsp. of corn syrup, 1/2 cup of butter and a dash of salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave for two minutes, stop and stir, and heat for one to two minutes until the mixture is boiling. Stir in 1/4 tsp. baking soda, then pour over the popcorn, stirring well to coat. Stir in chewy fruit candies if you would like. Serve this sticky popcorn as is, or butter your hands and shape into popcorn balls.
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