Let’s Go to the Movies! Oscar-Worthy Popcorn Hacks
Are you planning a star-studded Oscars party? If so, don't settle for B-list food. Jaymee Sire from eisforeat.com turns regular old movie popcorn into gourmet party food with just a few simple ingredients. To stick with the theme of the night, name each one after classic movies that have won Best Picture. Get creative!
In terms of popping your kernels, Jaymee uses her air popper, but feel free to use your preferred method (stove, microwave, etc). Double or triple the recipes depending on how many guests you're expecting, and try displaying them in large glass containers or popcorn bags! (Special thanks to the Vogue Theater in San Francisco for lending us some popcorn bags and allowing us to stage a few shots in the foyer.)
1. Rocky (Road)
– 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
– 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
– 1 bag mini marshmallows
– 1/2 cup salted, roasted peanuts
Pop popcorn using preferred method. Spread onto a large rimmed baking pan lined with foil or parchment paper. sprinkle with peanuts and 1/2 to 1 cup mini marshmallows. Melt the remaining marshmallows in the microwave and drizzle over popcorn, stirring if necessary. Melt chocolate and do the same. Allow 30 minutes to set (process can be sped up in the fridge).
2. Chariots of Fire
– 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
– 5.5 ounces cinnamon red hots
– 1/4 cup butter
– 2 tablespoons corn syrup
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees. Pop your popcorn with desired method and place in a paper bag.
Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hot candies in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high until the candies have melted and allow to continue cooking and boiling. (I did 5 minutes in the microwave, stirring every minute). Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake the bag for 1 minute, until completely coated.
Spread on rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake in oven for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (This will help eliminate sticky fingers!)
3. Slumdog Millionaire
– 1/2 cup kernels
– 3 tablespoons coconut oil
– 1 tablespoon curry powder
– salt to taste
Pop some popcorn. If using an air popper, you can put the coconut oil and curry powder in butter dish to melt as popcorn pops. If not, melt on the stove or in the microwave. Drizzle over popcorn and season with salt, to taste.
4. The Godfather
– 1/2 cup kernels
– 3 tablespoons olive oil
– 1-2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– salt to taste
Pop popcorn. If using an air popper, you can put the olive oil and Italian seasoning in butter dish to warm as popcorn pops. If not, just whisk together in a small bowl. Drizzle over popcorn and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, to taste.
5. American Beauty
And finally, you can't have a popcorn bar without classic butter and salt. Use microwave popcorn or simply drizzle melted butter over popcorn and season with salt.
Movie theatre favorites at Brit HQ include M&Ms, Junior Mints and Reese's Pieces. We just love a bit of sweet with our savory. What are your favorite ways to trick out popcorn? Leave us a note in the comments below.
Jaymee Sire is an Emmy-award winning sports reporter and anchor at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area in San Francisco. During baseball season, she covers the San Francisco Giants for CSN, and often anchors the network's flagship show, SportsNet Central in the offseason. When she isn't covering a sporting event, her true passion is food…whether it's eating out or cooking at home. She writes a blog called E is for Eat, posting alphabet-themed recipes and restaurant reviews several times per week. She also contributes a weekly tailgate blog on csnbayarea.com called Authentic Eats.
