Tag: popcorn

Cluck cluck #3

It seems a bit strange to be writing this. Not least because the last few weeks were crazy and I got out of the habit of blogging, but mainly because the hen in question is now a WIFE.

What’s that? You wanna see? Oh ok then, here she is…

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As you can see from the size of that smile, we all had a ball. It was an amazing day.

But let’s step back a month or three and finish off her favours. This was without a doubt the guests’ fave recipe so, ladies, all of you who asked me for it, sorry it took so long! Without further ado here is the recipe for white chocolate, lime and coconut popcorn.

Remember to downscale the below if you’re making for a smaller group/movie night.

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You will need

450g/1lb plain popcorn kernels

600g/1lb 5oz white chocolate

Coconut oil

2 limes (zest)

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Step one

You’re going to want to get a biiiiiig pan (one with a lid unless you want to be finding popcorn in corners for years). You also need several bowls to decant the popcorn into and definitely don’t try to pop it all in one go, I think i did three or four batches.

So. Pop the pan on a med-low heat, and drop a tablespoon of coconut oil in the pan. Add three kernels or so and wait patiently for them to pop.

Don’t put all the kernels in straight away otherwise you will burn some.

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Step two

Once the three test kernels have popped pour a load more in to cover the bottom of the pan and replace the lid.

As the kernels start to pop I generally shake the pan a intermittently and hover it above the heat. If the popping slows down, place it fully back on the heat for a few seconds.

When the pan is filling up and there’s a couple of seconds between pops remove it from the heat and pour the popcorn into a bowl.

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Step three

Repeat repeat repeat until you’ve used alla that popping corn.

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Step four

Zest the limes on the smallest ‘setting’ on your grater.

Step five

Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. As there’s quite a lot of it, it’s really probably better to do this over a pan of boiling water. Otherwise you risk leaving some foil in there, almost blowing up your microwave and burning 600g of chocolate. There might be a small rage blackout to follow.

While the chocolate is still warm stir in a heaped tablespoon of coconut oil.

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Step six

This is the tricky bit, you sort of need to distribute the chocolate and lime evenly amongst your batches of popcorn.

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Step seven

Stir in the chocolate as well as you can and spread out on baking trays to set. The chocolate won’t fully harden because of the oil but it’s nice that way, I promise.

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That’s all folks.

Final instalment next week – the bringing of everything together.

Katie’s home cinema

Another little post about our half term day of fun. I hope you will forgive the lack of photos given I was supervising two little humans at the time.

I had promised my little friends that we would take a trip to the cinema during our visit, but it turned out there was nothing worth going to the cinema for.

Ever the crafter I decided we would recreate our own home cinema experience. I conjured up a recipe for toffee popcorn and made some popcorn boxes and tickets.

You can download the templates for the tickets and the popcorn if you’re in a similar fix, or if you’re just looking for a cheap school holiday activity.

You will need

1/2 cup Popcorn kernels (or a bag of sweet microwaveable popcorn)

125g/4.5 oz Unsalted butter

170g/6 oz Soft light brown sugar

2 tbsp Golden syrup

The templates

Step one

Pop the popcorn. If you’re using kernels and it’s the first time you’ve done it then you need to add some butter or unflavoured oil to a large saucepan and one or two kernels. Once they’ve popped you can add the rest.

When the majority of the corn is popped (the pan will be full), remove the pan from the heat and place the corn in a bowl. Get rid of any unpopped kernels.

Step two

Heat the butter, syrup and sugar in a pan until bubbling. Turn down to a simmer cook for 5 minutes, keep stirring so that it doesn’t catch.

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Step three

Stir the toffee into the popcorn.

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Step four

Spread out on a large baking tray. You only really want one layer of corn to stop too much of it sticking together.

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Step five

Bake until golden (about 25 mins) on 180 degrees C/gas mark 4/350 F.

Leave to cool so that it crisps up.

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Step six

While the popcorn is cooling, assemble the boxes and cut out the tickets. The kiddies can help with this, or you could do it in advance.

Step seven

Put your feet up and enjoy the film. Or do what I did and placate the children with sweets and clean up feverishly in the background.