Perfect Homemade Holiday Decor with a Pop

(Family Features) ’Tis the season to bring family and friends together for some festive fun. When it comes to decorating and hosting parties, popcorn can make it easy to create edible decor for the dessert table, parting gifts for loved ones and munchable snacks to enjoy all the while.

For example, these Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats and Cranberry Popcorn Balls join forces for a dashingly decorative and delicious dessert that show off your festive side. Whether you use the popcorn balls as centerpieces at the dinner table or to send with guests as individually wrapped party favors, they’re a cinch to make and perfect for sharing. The miniature wreaths offer a tasty partner, doing double duty as decor and treats for you (and your guests) to enjoy – both with your eyes and your taste buds.

Visit popcorn.org to find more holiday recipe inspiration from decor to desserts.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats and Cranberry Popcorn Balls
Yield: 8 wreaths and 18 balls

Cranberry Popcorn Balls:

• 2          cups sugar
• 1          cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed
• 1          tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1/2       cup cranberry juice
• 1/2       cup light corn syrup
• 1          teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 5          quarts unsalted popped popcorn

Holiday Wreath Popcorn Treats:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 3          quarts popped popcorn
• 4          tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 3          cups miniature marshmallows
• 3          tablespoons (1/2 of 3-ounce box) lime gelatin dessert mix
• small red candies
• jelly beans
• red fruit leather

1. To make cranberry popcorn balls: In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cranberry sauce, orange peel, cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Bring to boil; lower heat and cook to 250 F on candy thermometer. Mixture will bubble in pan so watch to keep from boiling over.
2. Pour mixture slowly onto hot popcorn and mix until well-coated. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.
3. To make holiday wreath popcorn treats: Spray large mixing bowl lightly with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside.
4. In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.
5. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray and press firmly to form popcorn mixture into 9-inch logs then bend to form “wreaths.” Place “wreaths” on wax paper. Press candy pieces and jelly beans onto wreath to decorate; add “ribbon” cut from fruit leather.

SOURCE:
Popcorn Board

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

In early November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Class II recall concerning Hannaford Seafood Salads, affecting over 1,600 units across five states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. The recall, initiated on October 31, was due to a mislabeling incident that poses a significant risk to consumers with soy allergies.

Understanding the Class II Risk Level

The FDA has classified this recall as a Class II risk, indicating that exposure to the affected products may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” However, the risk of experiencing serious health consequences remains “remote.” Despite this classification, consumers with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy must take this recall seriously, as they could face life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the mislabeled salads.

What Happened?

The problem arose when the printer responsible for the salad labels provided Elevation Foods, the manufacturer of the salads, with labels that did not accurately reflect the current product formulation. Instead of the correct labels, the printer mistakenly issued labels meant for an upcoming formulation change. As a result, the affected salads may contain undeclared hydrolyzed soy protein, a known allergen that must be clearly stated on product labels to protect consumer safety.

Product Details

The implicated Hannaford Seafood Salads were distributed between October 25 and 29, and they feature use-by dates of November 13 and 14. Consumers can find these dates printed on the lid of the containers. Following the recall announcement, all affected products were promptly removed from store shelves.

Health Risks Associated with Soy Allergies

For individuals with soy allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies soy proteins as harmful invaders, leading to a range of symptoms that can vary in severity. Common reactions include stomach issues, coughing, itching, wheezing, vomiting, hives, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, these reactions can escalate to life-threatening conditions, such as anaphylaxis.

To mitigate risks, those with soy allergies are advised to carry an epinephrine injection (Epi-Pen) to counteract severe allergic reactions swiftly.

What Should Consumers Do?

Customers who purchased Hannaford Seafood Salads before the recall are urged not to consume the products. Instead, they can return them to the store where they made the purchase for a full refund. Elevation Foods has not reported any known cases of illness related to these salads, but consumer safety remains a top priority.

Conclusion

This seafood salad recall serves as a crucial reminder about the importance of accurate labeling, especially when it comes to potential allergens. Consumers should remain vigilant and informed about the products they purchase, particularly if they have food allergies. Stay safe and always check your labels!

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Related Links:

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/elevation-foods-issues-recall-due-undeclared-soy-hannaford-seafood-salad

https://www.newsweek.com/seafood-salad-recall-update-fda-risk-level-hannaford-1992294

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

Dark Chocolate

According to a recent article from Consumer Reports, there are some brands of Dark Chocolate that contain dangerous levels of lead, and cadmium. 

Dark Chocolate has become popular due to studies suggesting that they are rich in antioxidants,  which is beneficial to the heart, and it having low sugar properties that positively impact health. 

The article, which was posted in mid December, states that 28 popular brands were tested, and that 23 of them contained high levels of the dangerous metals. 

For more details, check out the article from Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/

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