Food Experimentation: Popcorn

Tonight, I bought new popcorn and decided that sticking with the normal popcorn-and-butter method that everyone always does wasn't going to be enough for me. Here are some recipes and ideas I came up with that you can practice on popcorn:

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn Recipe:
Ingredients:

1. 4 Cups popped popcorn, preferably not pre-bagged. I use Orville Redenbaucher's popcorn.
2. 1 tablespoon powdered cinnamon.
3. 1/4 cup of sugar.
4. Bowl or container of sorts
5. Butter, to taste.
   

Step 1: Butter your popcorn as much or as little as you'd like. Don't salt the popcorn, or that would defeat the purpose of having sweet popcorn.
Step 2: Pour cinnamon and sugar into a bowl with your popcorn. Cover your bowl or container and toss it until your spices are thoroughly mixed.
Step 3: Enjoy!

Parmesan Garlic Popcorn Recipe
Ingredients:

1. 4 cups pre-popped popcorn, preferably not bagged.
2. 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or any Italian blend)
3. 1 to 2 tsp. powdered garlic.
4. Bowl or Container to put your popcorn in.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to broil.
Step 2: Put your popcorn on an ungreased cookie sheet, and try to leave as little space between kernels as possible.
Step 3: Sprinkle the cheese and garlic onto the popcorn.
Step 4: Bake your popcorn for a minute or two until it is lightly browned and your cheese is melted. Watch your popcorn to assure that it doesn't burn, as oven temperatures vary.
Step 5: Remove your popcorn from the oven and allow it to cool for about 2 minutes.
Step 6: Put your popcorn on a plate or in a bowl and enjoy!

Those recipes may impress yourself, your family or your friends, but here are a few ideas for if you're feeling like doing a little less work but having all of the taste:

• Dip popcorn in caramel sauce or melted chocolate for a sweet, crunchy and sticky snack.
• Mix chocolate candies (such as m&m's, reese's pieces or snocaps) with your popcorn for a sweet and salty mix.
• Try popcorn seasonings by Kernel's Seasons. They come in a variety of flavors such as white cheddar, kettle corn and nacho cheese. I picked up small sizes for a dollar each at my local Blockbuster.
• For spicy popcorn, try sprinkling hot sauce on your popcorn or dipping it in spicy nacho cheese.
• If you're feeling vintage, poor your unsalted popcorn into a cereal bowl and add in some milk, as well as a sprinkle of sugar. Popcorn was one of the first breakfast cereals, and although it's an outdated meal, try it and you may be surprised.