Sweet, salty and oh so easy...
I have only recently discovered homemade popcorn as a snack and it has been rather transformational on my student life. I used to think making popcorn would be time consuming and a faff, but this is so easy, so quick and super cheap. You can buy 500g of popcorn kernels for 99p at tesco and they will last you for ever, so for me it's a no brainer.
The whole process from start to finish takes about 20 minutes. If you're short on time you can simply sprinkle salt on them as opposed to the peanut glaze, but I like to spend an extra 10 minutes or so making this delicious peanut butter popcorn. Its so yummy - almost like a nutty, caramel popcorn. So here you go...
Note: This recipe makes equivalent of a big bag of popcorn you would get from the supermarket (not snack pack size but sharing size).
Peanut butter and honey popcorn
Makes: see above
Ingredients:
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp peanut butter
2 pinches salt
(see notes for ingredient replacement and store cupboard substitutions below the method)
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C (fan)/ gas mark 4.
Place a medium sized saucepan, fitted with a lid on a medium heat. Add one kernel and watch the pan until the kernel pops - this is when you know the oil is hot enough.
Tip the rest of the kernels in and clamp a lid on. Gently shake the pan to coat the kernels in oil, taking care not to burn yourself.
Now just watch and listen to your corn popping away. Shake every now and then until the popping ceases. Remove from the heat and tip into a large bowl
Place the honey and peanut butter in a microwavable bowl and microwave for 20 seconds. Pour over the popcorn with the salt and mix until evenly coated.
Tip the popcorn onto a baking tray and place in the oven for 8 minutes, stirring half way through. (This is just to dry the popcorn out, if you like it sticky then you can skip this step)
And voila, you are done. Enjoy with friends and a film or as a late night snack.
Notes, substitutions and variations:
popcorn kernels: All good supermarkets sell these and they are super cheap and last for ages.
variations:
simply salty: sprinkle with sea salt
chocolate: drizzle with chocolate, bake in the oven just to dry them out a little