Food and Beverage
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.
(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.
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
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- Spread popcorn on baking sheet and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
- In small bowl, combine sugar substitute, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and freshly ground pepper; sprinkle evenly over popcorn.
- Spray again with nonstick cooking spray and toss to coat evenly.
- Bake 7 minutes and serve warm.
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
- On serving platter, spread popcorn in thin layer.
- Over double boiler or in microwave, melt milk chocolate chips. Drizzle over popcorn.
- Over double boiler or in microwave, melt white chocolate chips. Drizzle over popcorn.
- Sprinkle candy sprinkles over warm, chocolate-coated popcorn. Allow drizzles to set until firm.
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
- Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside.
- Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
- In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, or melt according to package directions.
- Stir in crushed peppermints after chocolate is melted. Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn mixture and stir to coat. Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely.
- When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks for serving.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature.
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
- 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; watch to keep from boiling over.
- Pour 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.
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.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy
Author
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
(Family Features) For a soup that smells as divine as it tastes, warm up your home with the fresh scents and flavors of Creamy Asparagus Soup. Pair with chicken salad croissants for a simple weeknight meal without the hassle then visit Culinary.net to discover more spring soup solutions.
Creamy Asparagus Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 2 asparagus bundles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 cups broth of choice, divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons celery salt
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- chicken salad croissants, for serving
- Chop asparagus into bite-size pieces. In large pot, place asparagus, butter, onion powder, garlic powder and 1 cup broth. Cook over medium heat until asparagus gets tender.
- Transfer to blender with 1 cup broth and blend until smooth. Transfer back to pot and, over medium heat, mix in cream cheese, remaining broth and Parmesan cheese. Add celery salt and Italian seasoning. Cook while stirring, blending seasonings in well, then add heavy cream.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with chicken salad croissants.
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Pair Summer Favorites with a Simple Potato Salad
(Family Features) Ideal for neighborhood cookouts, quick family dinners and anything in between, potato salad is a tried-and-true summer favorite. This version from Cookin’ Savvy comes together in a snap so you can spend more time enjoying the sun and less time in the kitchen. Pair this easy potato salad with more warm-weather recipe inspiration found at Culinary.net.Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Potato Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 3 pounds potatoes
- 4 boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
- 2 dill pickles
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- smoked paprika, for garnish
- Coarsely chop potatoes. In Dutch oven, boil until fork tender. Drain then add coarsely chopped eggs and pickles.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, bacon pieces, mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well.
- Transfer to large bowl and refrigerate 1-2 hours. Garnish with smoked paprika.
Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
Author
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
(Family Features) Hustling to get out the door for a busy day may tempt you to skip breakfast but taking a few extra minutes to nourish your body helps ensure you can keep up with the day’s demands.
Breakfast is your chance to jumpstart your body. Eating breakfast offers multiple benefits, including providing energy to fuel your day and increasing your ability to focus and make decisions.
A breakfast rich in protein is also important to keep you fuller longer. Eggs may be a frequent option, yet dairy foods can be a good, protein-rich alternative.
If you’re cutting calories, an option like Milk50 contains only 50 calories per serving but the same amount of protein as other dairy milks – 9 grams per serving – along with calcium and vitamin D. This first-of-its-kind product also contains 75% less sugar than skim milk, is lactose-free and doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or colors.
A return-to-dairy trend is gaining momentum, with 58% of U.S. adults welcoming dairy back to their diets after being disappointed with the price, taste and heavy processing of plant-based beverages, according to a national survey commissioned by Dairy Farmers of America. Incorporating these real dairy favorites in your morning recipes can be a cinch.
Start your morning with a nutritious and delicious shake like this Vanilla Coffee Protein Shake, which combines cold brew coffee and frozen bananas for a refreshing treat. Or, if you’re craving something a little heartier, mix up a batch of Chai Oatmeal Energy Bites over the weekend or in the evening so you can grab one or two on the go.
Find more breakfast inspiration at milk50.com.
Chai Oatmeal Energy Bites
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 55 minutes Yield: 2 doze- 1 cup DairyPure Milk50 Vanilla
- 3 chai tea bags, divided
- nonstick cooking spray
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- In small pot, heat milk until hot but not simmering. Take off heat and place two chai tea bags in milk. Steep tea in milk until cool, about 30 minutes, then discard tea bags.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cooled chai milk, oats, salt, baking powder, flaxseed, vanilla and maple syrup.
- Open third chai tea bag and measure 2 teaspoons tea. If tea is coarse, blitz in spice grinder or use mortar and pestle to grind more finely. Stir tea into batter and let mixture sit 10 minutes so oats can soak up milk.
- Give batter another stir then fill each mini muffin cavity about 3/4 with batter, about 1 tablespoon in each. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Bake bites 12-13 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of bite comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes.
Vanilla Coffee Protein Shake
Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 8 hours Servings: 1- 5-6 ounces DairyPure Milk50 Vanilla
- 1/2 banana, sliced and frozen
- 1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, cold brew concentrate
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 scoops protein powder of choice
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup (or to taste)
- Make ice cubes by pouring milk into ice cube tray and freezing until solid, about 8 hours.
- To make shake: In high-speed blender, blend frozen banana slices, cold brew, vanilla, protein powder, simple syrup and 5-6 milk cubes until creamy. Serve in glass.
Author
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Urbanism2 years agoSignal Hill, California: A Historic Enclave Surrounded by Long Beach
-
News2 years agoDiana Gregory Talks to us about Diana Gregory’s Outreach Services
-
STM Blog3 weeks agoWorld Naked Gardening Day: Celebrating Body Acceptance and Nature
-
Senior Pickleball Report2 years agoThe Absolute Most Comfortable Pickleball Shoe I’ve Ever Worn!
-
Senior Pickleball Report2 years agoACE PICKLEBALL CLUB TO DEBUT THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED INDOOR PICKLEBALL FRANCHISES IN THE US, IN EARLY 2023
-
Travel2 years agoUnique Experiences at the CitizenM
-
Making a Difference2 years agoAPS BRINGS VOLUNTEER POWER TO SUPPORT VEGGIES-FOR-VETERANS
-
Automotive2 years ago2023 Nissan Sentra pricing starts at $19,950