Cook the Book: Spicy Buttered Popcorn
Later in the week we'll get to some of Fat's more complicated dishes, such as a classic Cassoulet and an elegant Duck Rillettes, but for now let's start off with a simple Spicy Buttered Popcorn. Author Jennifer McLagan laments the day when theaters "replaced the real butter with that odd-tasting 'butter-flavored' topping." She thinks that "popcorn really has no flavor, and it's only made edible with butter and salt, or, even better, with a flavored butter." Her version, spiced with puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce is perfect for casual movie nights or as an accompaniment to predinner drinks.
- Yield:8 cups
Ingredients
- 8 cups popped plain popcorn
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Directions
-
1.
Preheat the oven to 250ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the popcorn on the paper. Set aside.
-
2.
Combine the sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt in a saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Stir until the butter and augar melt and the mixture comes to a boil. Stop stirring and boil until it reaches 250ºF on a kitchen thermometer. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chipotle peppers and the baking soda.
-
3.
Pour the mixture over the popcorn, and stir with a spatula until the popcorn is evenly coated.
-
4.
Bake the popcorn for 35 minutes, stirring 2 or 3 times. Let cool and store in an airtight container.