#EdenCooks - Popcorn Balls and Halloween Treats - Mon. Oct 15, 8pm EST

Contributor: Tork48309 Tork48309
Quote:
Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls
But look what I brought for my quick treat. We do these fruits spiders every year, and my kids and their friends love making and eating them.
Very Creative, Are those raisens as eyes?
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls
We always make popcorn on the stove, but never made a popcorn ball.
It's just one more step and a couple extra minutes
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls
We always make popcorn on the stove, but never made a popcorn ball.
It's just one more step and a couple extra minutes
10/15/2012
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
Peanut butter and apples are fabulous together! I also like ants on a log!
That one is actually a plum. We usually do apples, but we haven't gotten any good apples that don't cost a mint here yet.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova

Of course there are lots of ways to pop popcorn---people who try to avoid oils might use an air-popper (you can find them at garage sales all the time), people who don't mind fake butter can use microwave popcorn, and people who do things the old-fashioned way can pop them on the stovetop. I have an aunt with a fireplace and double-sided strainer who hovers her strainer over a fire to pop popcorn, too.

The old-fashioned way that doesn't require you to build a fireplace is the one I'll show here---if you've never popped corn on the stove, give it a try, because it is a lot of fun.

How do you usually pop corn?
10/15/2012
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
Quote:
Originally posted by Tork48309
Very Creative, Are those raisens as eyes?
Usually, yes. But my little guy had just polished off all the raisins. That is actually a sliced prune, which he also loves for some reason...
10/15/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
We usually just buy the popcorn you pop in a bag, but growing up, my father used to pop it on the stove.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls
That one is actually a plum. We usually do apples, but we haven't gotten any good apples that don't cost a mint here yet.
Funny, apples have been in-season for a bit already here. But I do love plums, too
10/15/2012
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova

Of course there are lots of ways to pop popcorn---people who try to avoid oils might use an air-popper (you can find them at garage sales all the time), people who don't mind fake butter can use microwave popcorn, and people who do things the ... more
On the stove in a big pot with a little bit of oil.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by PropertyOfPotter
We usually just buy the popcorn you pop in a bag, but growing up, my father used to pop it on the stove.
I hope you're looking forward to trying it your dad's way...
10/15/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
You can also make microwave popcorn with a brown paper bag, olive oil, salt and kernels.

The artificial butter in pre-packaged microwave popcorn is a known carcinogen. (What's up Debbie Downer?!)

Just toss in about a 1/4 cup of kernels, add oil, add salt, tape the bag over and microwave for about two minutes.

You can also add other spices like cayenne or cinnamon and sugar.
10/15/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
I hope you're looking forward to trying it your dad's way...
Haha, that's fine by me!
10/15/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
You can also make microwave popcorn with a brown paper bag, olive oil, salt and kernels.

The artificial butter in pre-packaged microwave popcorn is a known carcinogen. (What's up Debbie Downer?!)

Just toss in about a 1/4 cup of ... more
Good to know! Thanks for that info, Stormy!
10/15/2012
Contributor: haley730 haley730
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova

Of course there are lots of ways to pop popcorn---people who try to avoid oils might use an air-popper (you can find them at garage sales all the time), people who don't mind fake butter can use microwave popcorn, and people who do things the ... more
In the microwave.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Tork48309 Tork48309
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
You can also make microwave popcorn with a brown paper bag, olive oil, salt and kernels.

The artificial butter in pre-packaged microwave popcorn is a known carcinogen. (What's up Debbie Downer?!)

Just toss in about a 1/4 cup of ... more
I like the spice idea.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by PropertyOfPotter
Good to know! Thanks for that info, Stormy!
Walking encyclopedia of useless knowledge, I tell ya.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Tork48309
I like the spice idea.
A friend of mine LOVED air popped pop corn with cayenne pepper. He thought it was just the most excellent thing ever with a domestic lager.
10/15/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
Walking encyclopedia of useless knowledge, I tell ya.
Not useless!! That's awesome! You should be proud of what you know!
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
You can also make microwave popcorn with a brown paper bag, olive oil, salt and kernels.

The artificial butter in pre-packaged microwave popcorn is a known carcinogen. (What's up Debbie Downer?!)

Just toss in about a 1/4 cup of ... more
This is pretty much the same thing. Diacetyl is both a carcinogen and a cause of a really awful tuberculosis-something , usually only crops up in the people who work in popcorn plants.

But honestly, knowing you're doing that to a worker in a popcorn plant can't feel very good either
10/15/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by PropertyOfPotter
Not useless!! That's awesome! You should be proud of what you know!
Aw, shucks. Thanks lady! I just read a lot and it's mostly for you guys. Never know what I'll need in my back pocket when the time comes.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova

Popcorn Balls
(family-sized batch, makes 8 - 12 depending on size)
1/4 cup oil (choose one with a high smoke point and not a unique flavor---corn oil is a good choice, peanut and olive oils are not)
1/2 cup popcorn

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup (or other simple syrup that's the same viscosity as corn syrup)
pinch of salt



You'll also need some waxed paper and some butter to help you form balls that don't stick to your hands and countertop.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
This is pretty much the same thing. Diacetyl is both a carcinogen and a cause of a really awful tuberculosis-something , usually only crops up in the people who work in popcorn plants.

But honestly, knowing you're doing that to a worker ... more
Yeah, they say it has little effect on the people who eat it, but it's the workers we're concerned with. We've boycotted microwave popcorn and Walmart, but that's for another discussion.
10/15/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova

Popcorn Balls
(family-sized batch, makes 8 - 12 depending on size)
1/4 cup oil (choose one with a high smoke point and not a unique flavor---corn oil is a good choice, peanut and olive oils are not)
1/2 cup popcorn

1/2 cup ... more
Could you use vegetable oil?
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by PropertyOfPotter
Could you use vegetable oil?
Yes
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
Yeah, they say it has little effect on the people who eat it, but it's the workers we're concerned with. We've boycotted microwave popcorn and Walmart, but that's for another discussion.
Ever since I did a report on "Popcorn Worker's Lung" I have never eaten another bag of the microwave stuff.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova

Making popcorn balls consists of three simple steps.
First you pop the corn, then you'll warm up syrup to coat them, then you'll form the balls.
Total, this took me about a half-an-hour, and then another half-an-hour to cool. So you can make these with no advance notice as long as you've got corn, oil, sugar, and syrup on hand.
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova

Because it's usually a good idea to have all the prep-work done before you start heating things up (especially with time-sensitive things, like popcorn, which can burn if you're not quick enough), I decided to mix up my sugar syrup to have right where I needed it. Here is a combination of sugar, corn syrup, and a smidgen of salt.




10/15/2012
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
I think I need to make some. And I also have an intense craving for popcorn right now.
10/15/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
Quote:
Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls
I think I need to make some. And I also have an intense craving for popcorn right now.
Same here!
10/15/2012
Contributor: Antipova Antipova

With that set, I put everything up next to the stove. A thick-bottomed pot will help keep the heat even, and a light pot will not tire your arm out when you're shaking it, so choose your balance. Having a clear lid that fits, or is just a bit bigger than the pot, will help too. A lid is necessary, clear just makes it easier.



10/15/2012