Party Popcorn Bar - Cooking Tips

With a little imagination, you can create a popcorn bar that is sure to please all of your guests.

One-half cup of unpopped popcorn kernels will make approximately 16 cups of popped popcorn. The popcorn can be made a day ahead of time, but you should store it in airtight containers to preserve freshness. (For information on preparing popcorn, see the article, "Preparing Popcorn on the Stovetop.") Also, the popcorn should not be seasoned until the day of your popcorn party or gathering.

The simplest party popcorn bar will consist of plain popcorn and a variety of seasonings and toppings that guests can use to create their own "gourmet" popcorn.

Chile Popcorn

Ingredients:

• 16 cups popped popcorn
• 3 small dried red chile peppers
• 7 tablespoon margarine
• 1/4 tablespoon garlic salt
• Peanuts (optional)

Directions:

• If popcorn is cold, heat in oven.
  
  
  
• Over low heat, melt margarine.
  
  
  
• Add chile peppers to margarine and cook for 5 minutes.
  
  
  
• Remove chiles and pour butter over heated popcorn.
  
  
  
• Season with garlic salt; add peanuts if desired.

Game Day Popcorn

Ingredients:

• 16 cups popped popcorn
  
  
• 2 cups sharp Cheddar
  cheese (shredded)
  
  
• ¼ cup butter
  
  
• 3 teaspoons lemon pepper
  
  
• 1/4 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
  
  
• 3 teaspoons chile powder
  
  
• 1 teaspoon cumin
  
  
• 1 teaspoon paprika
  
  
• Peanuts (optional)
  
  
• Granola (optional)

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine popcorn, peanuts (optional), granola (optional), and shredded cheese.
  
• Over medium heat, melt butter.
  
• Add spices to melted butter and stir well.
  
• Pour butter and spice mixture over popcorn mixture and toss.

Garlic-cheese Popcorn

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Cheddar
  cheese flavored salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 12 cups popped popcorn (hot)

Directions:

• Over low heat, melt butter.
  
  
  
  
  
• Add seasonings and pour over hot popped corn.
  
  
  
  
  
• Garlic-cheese popcorn is best when served warm.

Italian-style Popcorn

Ingredients:

• ½ cup oil (preferably olive oil)
  
  
  
  
• 2-8 oz. packages of
  Italian dressing
  
  
  
  
• 2 tablespoons of
  lemon juice (optional)
  
  
  
  
• 16 cups of popped popcorn

Directions:

• Bring oil to a boil in small saucepan.
• Add lemon juice and Italian dressing packets, stirring constantly.
• Pour over popcorn and toss.
• Italian-style popcorn is best when served warm.