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Holiday Fun with a Joyful Pop

With countless ways to enjoy the holiday season from decorating and hosting parties to wintertime activities, it’s a perfect time to bring family and friends together for some festive fun.

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(Family Features) With countless ways to enjoy the holiday season from decorating and hosting parties to wintertime activities, it’s a perfect time to bring family and friends together for some festive fun. One simple ingredient can be your go-to for just about any tradition: popcorn, which is an inexpensive, versatile, whole grain that makes holiday occasions better.

Consider these simple seasonal ways you can let popcorn fuel your holiday adventures.

Decorate

Strings of popcorn and cranberries add a nostalgic touch to the family tree while making popcorn trees adds whimsy to the table. Before stringing popcorn, let it sit out for a day or two as freshly popped popcorn may be too fragile to thread without breaking. Push a threaded needle through the center of each kernel then pull the kernel to the end of the knotted thread, adding an occasional cranberry, if desired. Festive trees can be made using popcorn mixed with melted marshmallows then shaped and finished with sprinkles.

Give It as a Gift

If it’s your turn to host this year’s holiday party, popcorn makes for a perfect party favor. Pop up a delicious treat like these Cranberry Popcorn Balls, place them in pretty jars or neatly wrap them then finish each with a bow. For an added touch, include the recipe instructions and popcorn kernels in a separate container so your guests can make it at home.

Enjoy It as a Snack

Freshly popped popcorn is a simple and delicious snack to share after a day of shopping, caroling, sledding or decorating. You can take the holiday season up a notch with creative recipes like Gingersnap Popcorn Snack Mix, White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark and Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn. These treats are perfect for popping up in the morning so the snacks are ready once guests arrive.

Visit Popcorn.org to find more sweet, salty and savory holiday recipe ideas.

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Gingersnap Popcorn Snack Mix

Yield: 2 quarts

  • 2 quarts popped popcorn
  • butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
  2. Spread popcorn on baking sheet and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. In small bowl, combine sugar substitute, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and freshly ground pepper; sprinkle evenly over popcorn.
  4. Spray again with nonstick cooking spray and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Bake 7 minutes and serve warm.
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Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn

Yield: 8 cups

  • 8 cups popped popcorn
  • 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • candy sprinkles
  1. On serving platter, spread popcorn in thin layer.
  2. Over double boiler or in microwave, melt milk chocolate chips. Drizzle over popcorn.
  3. Over double boiler or in microwave, melt white chocolate chips. Drizzle over popcorn.
  4. Sprinkle candy sprinkles over warm, chocolate-coated popcorn. Allow drizzles to set until firm.
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White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark

Yield: 1 pound

  • 5 cups popped popcorn
  • 12 ounces white chocolate baking chips, chopped white chocolate or white candy coating
  • 1 cup crushed hard candy peppermints
  1. Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside.
  2. Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
  3. In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, or melt according to package directions.
  4. Stir in crushed peppermints after chocolate is melted. Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn mixture and stir to coat. Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely.
  5. When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks for serving.
  6. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
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Cranberry Popcorn Balls

Yield: 18 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
  1. 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.
  2. Mixture will bubble in pan; watch to keep from boiling over.
  3. Pour slowly onto hot popcorn and mix until well-coated.
  4. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls.
  5. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.

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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.

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    Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington View all posts

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Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington

Food and Beverage

Punch Up Your Holiday Beverage Menu

This holiday season, enhance your gatherings with a refreshing Christmas Cranberry Punch recipe featuring cranberries, pineapple, assorted juices, and a hint of rosemary for a tart twist.

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Christmas Cranberry Punch

(Culinary.net) This time of year is all about food and sweet desserts, but don’t forget to quench guests’ thirst with a seasonal sip. This Christmas Cranberry Punch offers a slightly less sweet take on traditional punch so you can add a touch of tart to the beverage cart. Visit Culinary.net to find more delicious holiday recipe ideas.

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Christmas Cranberry Punch

  • 1 package fresh cranberries
  • 1 can pineapple chunks
  • 3-4 rosemary twigs
  • 6 cans lemon-lime soda, divided
  • 64 ounces cranberry juice
  • 20 ounces orange pineapple juice
  • 1 orange
  1. The night before, place four cranberries, two pineapple chunks and a few rosemary sprigs in each hole of silicone muffin pan or ice tray. Cover with 1 can lemon-lime soda and freeze.
  2. Chill remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice overnight.
  3. In punch bowl, mix remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice. Slice orange into 5-6 slices. Add lemon-lime soda ice cubes, handful of cranberries and orange slices. Serve.

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SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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.

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/


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Food and Beverage

A Sweet, Savory, Simple Holiday Side Dish

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(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape. Find more easy holiday recipes at Culinary.net.

holiday

Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6

  • 1/2 pound bacon
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
  • 1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  1. Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
  2. In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
  3. In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
  4. Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.

collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures
SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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.

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/


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Food and Beverage

Classic Desserts That Combine Christmases Past and Present

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desserts

(Family Features) If holiday gatherings have started to feel more overwhelming than celebratory, it’s time to go back to the basics with seasonal desserts that are easy yet elegant.

Classic Desserts

Wow your crowd this year with a mouthwatering Hummingbird Cake or Coconut Cake that call to mind holidays past without requiring hours spent in the kitchen (like grandma used to do). Or for a classic take on an old favorite, these Christmas Cinnamon Cookies can even let the kiddos get involved – just make the dough then have your little helpers use their favorite cookie cutters to make festive shapes before the oven does the rest of the work.

Find these recipes and more from “Cookin’ Savvy” at Culinary.net.

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Hummingbird Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy

  • 1 spice cake mix
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup banana cream Greek yogurt
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple
  • 1 cup crushed pecans
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Frosting:

  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 package pecans (optional)
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In mixing bowl, mix spice mix and sugar. Blend in yogurt, eggs and pineapple. In separate bowl, mix pecans, flour and butter then add to cake mixture.
  3. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan then bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing.
  4. To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
  5. Ice cake then decorate with pecans, if desired.
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Coconut Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy

  • 1 vanilla or white cake mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup coconut Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 3 eggs

Frosting:

  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 cups powered sugar
  • 2-4 cups shredded coconut
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour and sugar. Blend in yogurt, milk, butter and eggs.
  3. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with butter. Pour half the mixture into each pan and bake 45 minutes. Cool on rack before icing.
  4. To make frosting: In mixing bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and heavy whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
  5. Ice cake then pat shredded coconut gently into icing.
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Christmas Cinnamon Cookies

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy

  • 1 2/3 cups self-rising flour
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons water (optional)
  • 1 cup powered sugar (optional)
  1. In mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, sugar, brown sugar and egg to make dough. If dough is too dry to form into ball, add water. Form into log and wrap in parchment paper. Refrigerate 1 hour.
  2. Heat oven to 350 F.
  3. Roll dough out and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Place on cookie sheet covered in parchment paper and bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool on rack then dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

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SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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.

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Discover more from Daily News

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