Sunday, December 8, 2013

Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn AKA the Easiest Holiday Treat Ever!

We at Mystery Lovers' Kitchen are delighted to welcome guest Paige Shelton, who gives us a wonderful (and easy!) holiday treat!


Necessity being the mother of invention and all, this quick and easy treat was first whipped up one late afternoon after my husband mentioned that he’d offered to take something to a holiday party we were to attend about one hour later. Dropping by the grocery store on the way was an option, but I thought I’d give the pantry a quick look. The popcorn box fell as I opened the door, so I took it as a sign. Well, two signs – however, I ignored the “pantry needs cleaning out” sign.

I picked up the box, started rummaging around some more and gathered the peppermint extract. Then I got lucky and found two bars of white chocolate (I think holiday elves must have put them there to help me out – it is rare and unusual that I would have such a thing hanging around), and got to work.



The best popcorn for this recipe is the Homestyle variety, which means it has only a smattering of butter. No Movie Theater here. You can also pop it yourself in a popper or saucepan on the stove and leave out the butter, but I was in way too much of a hurry the first time I made it - microwaved had to do and it worked well. 

Pop two bags and dump the popcorn into a bowl. I add another ¼ or so teaspoon of salt because that salty/sweet combination is one of my favorites, and I really like to notice the salty part.


Melt the white chocolate in a bowl in the microwave per the melting instructions and then mix ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract into the melted goodness. Pour over the popcorn. It’s pretty important to try to pour evenly – don’t just dump it in and then toss. Try to stir the popcorn while pouring and then do some extra tossing. And, when you’re stirring and tossing, keep the utensils close to the bowl sides and bottom when you first go in – fewer broken pieces that way.

When I made it for the party, I just poured it into a bowl after coating it and took along. Even though the white chocolate hadn’t had time to solidify all the way it wasn’t gooey, and the popcorn was gobbled up quickly. Other times I’ve made it, I’ve spread it out on a baking sheet and let the coating harden up before serving it.  Additionally, I’ve tried adding little pieces of peppermint candy, but I like it better without the candy. It keeps the texture consistent.
 
 
 
See, easiest ever, huh?

Thanks to Mystery Lovers Kitchen for letting me drop by today. Hope everyone has a delicious and happy and safe holiday season.

Paige
 
Paige Shelton is the author of two mystery series. Her latest book and the fifth in her Farmers’ Market series MERRY MARKET MURDER is now available at bookstores and online everywhere. For more information on Paige or her books, visit www.paigeshelton.com











17 comments:

  1. Thanks for the step-by-step recipe, Sheila. I'm always looking for easy recipes for celebrations at work and this looks like a winner.

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  2. sorry, Paige! Saw Sheila's name as the one posting and mistook it for the one writing.

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  3. No worries, Claire. I bet this would be a great take-to-work treat.

    Happy Holidays!

    Paige

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  4. Ohh I'm glad you can use microwave popcorn (and the Homestyle is the only kind I get anyway!). My mom used to pop regular popcorn on the stove and it was fantastic-but she hasn't done that in decades and I never have. That poor popcorn pot-the bottom was all messed up. I Enjoy popcorn, but now, whenever I eat popcorn I think of Strax. "Popcorn feels pain." lol

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    2. LOL. Love the Strax quote. My parents did the same - on the stove. That way just isn't fast enough for me. Microwave is quicker, easier, and much less messy.

      Thanks, Katreader!

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    1. Hi, Dru - I'm glad it's something you might enjoy!

      Thanks a bunch.

      Paige

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  6. Paige, welcome!

    This sounds lovely and festive. Great idea. BTW, I want some of your elves. My pantry, ugh! Definitely needs a tune up. I try to do it a couple of times a year and give all the extra cans to the needy. That seems to help. When to find the time…

    Hugs and great writing.
    Daryl / Avery

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    1. Hi, Daryl/Avery - Elves are on their way. :) Hugs to you too. Hope to see you again at an event or conference someday soon.

      Thank you!
      Paige

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  7. Your husband and mine think alike--an hour to pull together something to take to a party is plenty! I'm in that situation today. Unfortunately I don't have your popcorn ingredients on hand, but I'm still going to try this to share with family over the holidays! I love salty/sweet combos.

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    1. Oh, me too, Peg. Salty/sweet is the best. Have fun at your party today and have a happy holiday season.

      Thanks!
      Paige

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    2. sounds delish Paige, and I'll take an elf too:). Have you tried it without the peppermint?

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    3. Hi, Lucy/Roberta - I have, and it's yummy too. I thought about trying orange extract as well, but haven't yet. Elf has been dispatched. :)

      Thank you!
      Paige

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  8. Paige, I love this festive popcorn recipe! Marc and I are always snacking on popcorn, and this looks like a wonderful way to make it. Congratulations on your new release, and have a very happy holiday season.

    ~ Cleo

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    1. Thanks, Cleo - Congratulations on your new release and happy holidays to you and Marc too.

      Paige

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  9. Amazing, Paige! Our pantries must hang out together because I have one of those signs on mine, too. But the popcorn is truly amazing because I bought a bag of gourmet popcorn with a chocolate drizzle and salt recently, and it was the best thing ever! Now I can't find it anywhere! Now that I know it's this easy, I'm inspired to make my own! Thanks!

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