Scared Shrekless Popcorn

Tonight is the premier of Scared Shrekless, and we are so excited to watch it. My 3 yr old and I whipped up some Shrek popcorn for the big event...we are going to have so much fun.


4 quarts popped corn (go through and pick out the unpopped kernals)
1 1/2 Cups sugar
1/2 Cup light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
green food coloring (Use alot, because when you add the baking soda afterwards, it will lighten up the color...so go overboard!)

In heavy saucepan on medium heat melt butter then add sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar and salt. Increase temperature to medium high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar. Once mixture boils, add in food coloring and stop stirring. Boil for 5 minutes (Do not stir). Mixture should be about 250-260 degrees. Remove from heat and carefully stir in vanilla and baking soda. Working quickly and while mixture is foamy, pour mixture over popped corn and gently stir to coat popcorn. Place popcorn into a large roaster or rimmed baking sheet (lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray) and bake at 200° F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Recipe from: Skip to my Lou.org

Popcorn for Movie Night

I got my Better Homes and Garden magazine this week, and they had the funnest ideas for different popcorn themes. We get together with family and friends all the time, and I was thinking that a Popcorn Bar would be a really fun idea. I just wanted to share a few of the ideas they suggested, these ones were my favorites.

Bedtime for Bonzo

Popcorn, banana chips, shaved chocolate, and toasted coconut

Pretty in Pink

Popcorn, Twizzler Bites, Red Cinnamon Candies, Pink Sugar

Parent Trap

Popcorn, Honey Graham Cereal, Marshmallows, Cocoa

They sprinkled cocoa and then mixed it. If that isn't enough, I think I would throw in some milk chocolate chips!!!

All American

Popcorn, Pretzels, peanuts. M&M's

Moonstruck

Popcorn, Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, melted butter, Parmesan cheese

Ideas taken from BHG

Chex Muddy Buddies

Tonight I went over to my in-laws after a good swimming work-out, there on the table sat a bowl of Muddy Buddies, "Oh well, at least I burned a few calories before racking them right back up with these yummy treats."



9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Substitution
Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.
1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Part II-This was on the same website, I think I might have to give these babies a try!


8 cups Chocolate Chex® cereal
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup white vanilla baking chips

Substitution
Instead of using waxed paper, you can spray the cookie sheet with cooking spray or line with nonstick foil.
1. Into large microwavable bowl, measure cereal; set aside. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper.
2. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave on High 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Spread on cookie sheet. Cool 10 minutes. Break into bite-size pieces.
3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips uncovered on High about 1 minute 30 seconds or until chips can be stirred smooth (bowl will be hot). Drizzle over snack. Refrigerate until set. Store in tightly covered container.

Butter Caramel Popcorn

Okay, this is so far from a Cooking Light recipe. But, this weekend Chris and I had a movie night and made my dad's famous caramel popcorn. Most caramel popcorn I have tried is done by baking it and making it crunchy. This is more of a glaze that's poured over the top of air popped popcorn, and it's heaven. Enjoy this yummy splurge!

1/2 Lb. Butter (yes, you read that correctly, that's why it's so delicious!)
1 1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. Light Corn Syrup

Bring to a boil for 1 minute
Take off heat and add 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Pour over large bowl of popcorn. I do 2 batches of popcorn in my popper, and that makes the perfect amount for this recipe.