Dutch Oven Popcorn and Spices

Popcorn one of my all time favorite snacks. There are such a variety of seasonings flavors to put on the popcorn the flavors are endless. At the end of this post I will list some variations for combinations for your popcorn extravaganza. 

Fresh is always the best like we used to do it until my parents could afford some Jiffy Pop that was a treat. And who ever got to cook it on the stove well it proved leadership. If you must use microwave make it the non buttered otherwise your seasoning will not stick to the popcorn. Let us get started because the Bruce Willis movie is waiting. 

Ingredients

3 tsp peanut oil

1/3 cup of quality popcorn kernels

2 Tbsp. or more (to taste) of butter

Seasoning to taste get creative

Iron Dutch Oven or any Deep Pot

 or an Air Popper

**The seasoning flavors are at the end of this post**

Heat the oil in a deep pot on medium high heat
Put 3 popcorn kernels into the oil, cover the pan
When the kernels pop, add the rest of the 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in an even layer

Cover,remove from heat and count 30 seconds.

*** Waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when they are put back on the heat, they all pop at about the same time.

Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping soon, and all at once. 

Once the popping starts, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner.

Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release . 

Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and dump the popcorn  into a bowl. 

Now the fun begins. What topping do we use. Butter time. This is a personal choice on how much butter. It is best to use some because your seasoning will adhere to the popcorn much better. And a little butter goes a long way. Just melt the butter and pour slowly while stirring the popcorn to coat every kernel. 

There are two lists at the bottom of this post. One has a list of just seasoning the next is recipes for a mixture of seasoning. 

 Fun topping

• Spanish Smoked Paprika
• Cayenne Powder
• Chili Pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Recipes for seasoning toppings 

Each one of these recipes calls out for 5 cups of popcorn. It does sound like a lot but it is not once you sit down, turn on the movie and begin the munch. The recipes below are for popcorn topping made with spices you more then likely already have at home. 

Every one of theses combinations have the same amount of oil to butter so I will give that to you now and you choose what recipe you will combine your popcorn with.

Let's start with savory and spicy. 

Everything Bagel spice one of the most popular spices on the shelf this last year. You can buy a jar of this spice or whip it up yourself. The ingredients are dried chopped onion, dried chopped garlic, salt, pepper, poppy seed, sesame seed. Lightly coat your popcorn with melted butter and slowly add the spice combination stir to make sure all the popcorn is coated. 

**** Remember with all these recipes a little goes a long way.

Ranch and Chive 3 tablespoons ranch dressing powder, salt to taste, Lightly coat your popcorn with the melted butter and slowly sprinkle the popcorn with the Ranch Dressing Powder Salt Combo. Top the popcorn with 1/4 cup fresh chives thinly sliced you can also use  2 tablespoons dried chives.

Spicy Hot Popcorn Butter your popcorn. In a small bowl mix together 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt to taste, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper and a pinch of cayenne or a tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes. Mix the seasonings together and sprinkle o the buttered popcorn stirring to coat it all.

Italian Pesto Popcorn  With this popcorn I would have you coat your popcorn with butter mixed with a  a small amount of olive oil its Italian after all. This is delicious. Mix in a small bowl 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil, 1 teaspoon crushed pine nuts, 1/2 tablespoon oregano. Sprinkle the mix onto the buttered popcorn and coat completely. 

Now some Sweet Combinations

Popped Full of Sugar this popcorn is full of your favorite candy plus a bit of salty. Always start by buttering your popcorn. Next pick some of your all time favorite candy to add. I add plain M&M's and chopped mini pretzels. Once buttered add all your candy and top with a dash of salt. Many times I will switch out my M&M's for Good and Plenty. 

Sweet Cinnamon Popcorn I love Turbinado Sugar and this is in my opinion the best to mix with your cinnamon. Start by buttering your popcorn. n a small bowl mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Sprinkle on the buttered popcorn while stirring to make sure every kernel gets a coat.