Chili-spiced Popcorn

By creamtea • August 8, 2011 • 7 Comments

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Author Notes: One of my family's favorite snacks is popcorn. Gourmet Magazine once had a Last Touch article on flavored popcorns that captured my interest. Recently, when my kids and I put our heads together to try to come up with some interesting new variations, we decided to sample one of our favorite family dinners, chili, in popcorn form. Here is the tempting result. If you like, you can add chipotle chili powder, or, conversely, remove the smokey aspect by using regular salt and eliminating the South African Smoke flavoring. - creamtea

Serves 4

For the spice blend (makes more than needed)

1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1-2 pinch sea salt
5-6 grinds smoked sea salt (available at Trader Joe's)
5-6 grinds South African Smoke Spice Blend (available at Trader Joe's)
2-3 tablespoons butter

For the popcorn

1/3 cup good quality popping corn

In a small dish, combine dry seasoning ingredients.
In a separate small custard cup, in the microwave, melt butter (about 1 minute at half-power, pausing midway to stir). Or melt on top of the stove in a small, heavy saucepan.
Whisk about 1 1/2 teaspoons spice mixture into the melted butter.
Pop corn using desired method: in corn popper in microwave, or on top of stove. Transfer to a large bowl.
Stir seasoned butter and drizzle over corn. Stir to distribute, taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve hot.