Spicy Popcorn

It's day five of the detox diet and all is going well although my chocolate cravings are starting to get out of control. It's not that I eat a lot of chocolate normally, I think it's just the fact that I'm not allowed any.

It's my boss's birthday tomorrow so I've spent the afternoon making vegan chocolate cupcakes to take to work. It's been tortuous. The smell of freshly baked cupcakes is playing tricks on my mind. I actually caught myself in a daydream where I was drinking the wickedly delicious batter right out of the Pyrex measuring cup. I'm turning into Homer Simpson

To sate my chocolate cravings, I've been turning to spicy popcorn. While it's not exactly sweet, the the popcorn's satisfying crunch tends to do the trick.

The spices are a simple mix of paprika, ground cumin, chili powder and salt. I don't have a microwave so I cook my popcorn on the stove top, which going by the reactions of my friends, must be old fashioned. It seems to work just as well though, and at least the kernels aren't being nuked!

During the detox diet I've been turning to a few old, yet trusty Taste Buddies recipes some of which include:

• Butternut Squash & Chickpea Tagine
• Masoor Daal
• Raw Broccoli Salad
• Wild Salmon Kedgeree

 

Spicy Popcorn Recipe

1/2 cup of corn kernels
2 tbs vegetable oil
1 tsp of paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp sea salt

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels to the pot but ensure that you can still see the bottom of the pot -- this means don't add too many kernels otherwise they don't cook evenly.
2. Cover the pot and shake it around to coat the kernels in oil. Let the pot heat up for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the spices. Shake the pot to coat the kernels again and then cover the pot and let it heat up.
3. Shake the pot every so often. Once the kernels start to pop, open the lid ever so slightly to allow some air in. Turn the heat down a little lower and keep shaking the pot. You don't want the spices to burn so keep an eye on it.
4. The kernels should be popping very rapidly now. You can turn the heat off but leave the pot on the burner.
5. Once the popping starts to slow down, take off the lid and place popcorn in a large bowl. Sprinkle on some salt and serve.
6. Popcorn can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Comments

[VeggieGirl]

PERFECT!

[Marc @ NoRecipes]

Looks like a nice healthy alternative. Not sure if this fits in with your detox plan, but I made some sweet redbean (sweet red bean paste and water) soup to sate a dessert craving tonight. Sounds weird but it's suprisingly satisfying.

[Manggy]

Ah, I thought you toss the spices in at the last step, but it does make sense to heat them up too :) Popcorn is really healthy, I don't know why I don't keep some here more often...

[LOLfitness]

You can just *buy* cupcakes, you know :)
would save you a lot of torture; psychologists say people have a finite amount of willpower, so why use it up when you can avoid it?

[Starr]

Looks yummy! I love popcorn and this would sure be a nice alternative to BUTTER on it! I've been thinking about starting a detox myself before the holidays hit. I'm going to check out your detox recipes.

[Maxine]

I just ate at a restaurant in Austin, TX that served spicy popcorn on the tables instead of bread. It was deliciously addicting and I was already hoping to replicate it. This sounds great - thanks!

[Graeme]

Awesome. Chocolate isn't so great anyway!
But are you not allowed to even sprinkle with cocoa? Anti-oxidants and all that...

[Nick]

I hate to further add to your chocolate craving but you know what might be fantastic on that spicy popcorn? Just a touch of Cocoa powder.

Seriously, spice and chocolate can go really nicely together...

Cheers,
Nick
www.macheesmo.com

[Cynthia]

I generally do not like popcorn but your spicy popcorn suddenly makes me want to have some.

[Syrie]

Thanks VeggieGirl!

Hey Marc, sounds delicious. I love those kinds of simple desserts. I can't have any sugar on the detox but I'll check out your recipe once I'm off it.

Hi Mark, I'm actually going to keep making it as a snack after the detox. I love the crunch!

LOL -- I was going to buy some but I wanted them to be fresh and the cupcake store didn't open until 10am the next day which was too late -- I could have bought a normal cake I guess. I think I'm a bit of a masochist!

Hey Starr, I think you should start after the holidays so cleanse yourself of the thanksgiving and christmas binge! Hope you enjoy the recipes.

Hi Maxine! Hope you like the popcorn!

Brilliant idea Graeme. I actually have some delicious raw cocoa powder. It smells incredible. I'm going to try it. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks Nick -- both you and Graeme have great taste!

thanks for stopping by Cynthia and hope you made some.

[Shari]

I'm impressed that you're making chocolate cupcakes when you're on this detox diet! Your popcorn sounds good.

[mycookinghut]

Good idea!

[redmenace]

You are amazing. Good luck with the detox!

[Ivy]

I gotta try this spicy popcorn-it looks soooo awesome!

[Ovens Cooktop]

This sounds like the perfect low fat, spicy snack been looking for. Thanks!