In case the below freezing temperatures and blizzard warnings didn’t quite tip you off, winter is upon us. The rain is frozen, the skies are unendingly grey and the most time you want to spend outside is going from dorm to class, class to food, food to dorm. But just because the weather is begging you to stay indoors doesn’t mean you’re in for an anti-social season. Text your friends, but trade your stilettos for slippers, your Ubers for Netflix and your keg stands for kernels. It’s prime time for a movie night, and we’re making popcorn.
The Popcorn
Stovetop popcorn is a great way to go. Not only is it incredibly simple, but also when using stovetop popcorn you won’t have to worry about the questionable additives in the microwave variety. Each recipe requires this as a base.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2-4 people
Ingredients:
½ unpopped popcorn kernels (yields 8-10 cups, popped)
3 tablespoons oil
Directions:
1. Add oil to a large (preferably deep) pan on medium heat, along with three kernels.
2. Once all three kernels have popped, add in the rest of the corn. Shake the pan and make sure oil is evenly distributed.
3. Cover pan with lid, leaving it slightly skewed so steam can escape (no one likes soggy popcorn)
4. Shake pan gently about every couple of seconds
5. Once there are 2-3 seconds in between pops, it’s ready! Immediately remove from heat.
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Sriacha-Honey Sesame Popcorn
Photo by Alina Polishuk
This tangy, spicy and sweet combo is perfect for anyone who simply can’t decide what they’re in the mood for. The thrilling flavor works well with action movies.
Prep Time: 5 minutes (excluding popcorn preparation)
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Popcorn
3 tablespoons butter
1 heaping tablespoon Sriacha
1.5 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Salt, to taste
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Directions:
1. Set popcorn aside in a large bowl
2. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat
3. Stir Sriacha and honey into butter until well combined. Take off the heat.
4. Slowly pour half of your mixture over popcorn and toss to coat. Do the same with the remainder.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds over popcorn, and toss again. Salt to taste, and serve right away!
Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn
Photo by Alina Polishuk
A big warm bowl of this stuff and you’ll be transported back to cozy Sunday dinners at home. The comfort of this popcorn pairs nicely with an indie drama.
Prep time: 5 minutes (excluding popcorn preparation)
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Popcorn
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced rosemary
½ cup finely grated parmesan (freshly grated is best)
Salt, to taste
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Directions:
1. Set popcorn aside in a large bowl
2. Melt butter and olive oil in a saucepan on medium-low heat
3. Once melted, add in rosemary and raise heat slightly. Cook for around 2 minutes, but be careful not to let the butter brown.
4. Remove from heat and pour half of your mixture over popcorn and toss to coat. Do the same with the remainder.
5. Sprinkle in parmesan, and toss to coat.
Photo by Alina Polishuk
6. Salt to taste, and serve immediately!
Dark Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Popcorn
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Saving dessert for last, of course! This luscious popcorn is a great combination of salty and sweet, and crunchy and smooth. Its decadence is perfect for a sexy chick flick or psychological thriller.
Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding popcorn preparation)
Cook Time: 5 minute
Total time: 1-2 hours
Ingredients:
Popcorn
2 tablespoons butter
Salt, to taste
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate
1.5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
½ cup white chocolate
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Directions:
1. Toss popcorn with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and lightly salt to taste. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Combine semi-sweet chocolate and peanut butter in a bowl and melt on high in 30-second intervals. After each interval, stir the mixture so your chocolate doesn’t burn. It should be good to go after 1:30.
3. Once the chocolate and peanut butter is completely melted and combined, use a spoon to generously drizzle over the popcorn.
4. Melt white chocolate in the microwave on 20-second intervals, stirring with each break. It should be done after a minute.
5. Again, drizzle melted white chocolate over popcorn.
Photo by Alina Polishuk
6. Let the chocolate harden (it’s faster if you let it sit in the fridge and shouldn’t take more than an hour).
7. Once the chocolate is hard, break the popcorn into pieces and serve!
So there you have it. Three super easy popcorn recipes that will take your wintery movie night from dull to delicious. The hardest part of your evening is going to be picking the movie, I guarantee.
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Photo by Alina Polishuk, Design by Amber Chen
If you want to take your movie night to the next level, check out these delicious boozy beverages recipes.